A major U.S. airline group has opposed Air China's (SHA:601111, HKG:0753) request to add flights from Beijing to New York and Washington around the planned meeting between presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump.
Airlines for America said Chinese carriers have an advantage because they can fly through Russian airspace, while U.S. airlines cannot, resulting in shorter and cheaper routes, according to a document filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The group urged regulators to classify Air China's two proposed flights this week and next as charters, warning approval could facilitate additional scheduled services.