The decision to fly over Russia or not is one of the most contentious issues in the aviation industry.
Chinese airlines, all backed by the state, use Russian airspace en route to Europe and the UK. Such flights have not been significant until recently as China’s borders slowly reopen following President Xi’s zero-Covid policy reversal.
Meanwhile, the boss of Air India earlier this year defended flying over Russia by comparing the move to the UK allowing Russian oligarchs to buy up vast tracts of property in London.
Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways also make use of Russian airspace. Some also continue to fly to Russian destinations.
Asked on his views on the situation, Akbar Al Baker, chief executive of Qatar Airways – which has a 25pc stake in British Airways owner IAG – said: “It’s a very politically charged question and I would not like to answer.”
Although he refused to be drawn on the topic of Russian overflights, Mr Al Baker attacked environmental campaigners that have called for greater curbs on flying.
Speaking to reporters during a press conference at the Paris Air Show last week, he said: “Aviation is not the culprit of the CO2 emissions.
“We are absolutely supporting sustainable aviation growth. Ships are a lot more. Cars, a lot more power plants, a lot more. But we are the biggest target of this CO2 emission exercise.
“And I would really like the aviation industry… to give the correct information to the general public that aviation is not the culprit of the CO2 emissions.”
Aviation is only responsible for 2.6pc of the total CO2 emissions in the world, Mr Al Baker said.
