Russian airspace restrictions reshape flights to Asia: European carriers face longer routes
Four years after the closure of Russian airspace to a large part of Western airlines, the consequences are no longer visible only on the flight map. The difference in routes has become a matter of cost, travel time, and market competitiveness between Europe and Asia.
The Shanghai–Helsinki service shows how a detour of several thousand kilometres can change a route’s economics. Finnair now needs more than 12 hours for the journey, compared with around eight hours before Russian airspace closed to its flights. Chinese carriers face no equivalent restriction, creating an uneven competitive playing field, as Finnair has warned.
Same destination, completely different route
Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022, the European Union closed its airspace to Russian carriers, after which Russia responded with restrictions on airlines from a range of Western states.
However, Russia's airspace is not closed to everyone. Chinese airlines continue to use it on some flights to Europe, while carriers such as Turkish Airlines, Emirates and Air Serbia continue to maintain routes to Russian cities. Air Serbia's current network lists Moscow and St Petersburg, among others, while Turkish Airlines and Emirates are still selling flights to Moscow.
The security risk has not gone away
The shorter route offers a commercial advantage but requires a different risk assessment. EASA currently recommends avoiding Russian airspace west of the 60th meridian at all altitudes. Its advisory runs until 31 January 2027 unless amended earlier. The agency warns that civilian aircraft could be misidentified when air defence systems are activated, even though there have been no recent incidents indicating an immediate risk. Airlines and travel sellers should continue to monitor official guidance and communicate relevant updates to passengers.
