Photo: ANP
Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific no longer flies through Russian airspace at the moment. This makes the company different from its Chinese peers, who still do. Many Asian and Western airlines have previously decided to avoid Russia or have been banned by Russia in response to Western sanctions on Russian airlines.
Cathay’s move is surprising, because society deviates significantly from the Chinese norm. This country, which has firmly consolidated its grip on Hong Kong for several years, has so far refused to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Cathay detours cost more time and money, especially for flights to and from Western Europe. For example, more fuel must be refueled for a longer distance, and in some cases, more employees must be moved due to longer flight times. This comes on top of the airline’s problems due to Hong Kong’s strict quarantine rules. As a result, travelers from countries such as the United States and Great Britain are not allowed to enter Hong Kong.
