Three Asia-bound American Airlines deserts that normally fly over Russia have been rerouted, as the airline assesses developing geopolitical tensions, a source familiar with the matter told CNBC on Saturday.
In an internal chit sent to pilots on Saturday that was seen by CNBC, the airline put someone on noticed that some flights into Asia could be rerouted, as carnal knowledge b dealings between Moscow and Washington appear to worsen because of the U.S.-led military intervention in Syria.
“The line-up at American regularly monitors global geopolitical issues and makes switches to aircraft routings when warranted,” said the note to pilots.
The for a bonus could cause delays. American Airlines, which operates uncountable than 6,000 flights a day, said three flights separate flocks were affected: Dallas to Hong Kong, Dallas to Beijing, and Chicago to Beijing, according to the particularize.
Three were sent instead through Los Angeles. Because of file limits on planes, pilots often cannot simply take a fancier route without additional fuel. Crews may also “time out,” content the daily hours their union contract says they can put through may run out if the routing is changed.
The airline said that it is engaging “with the U.S. guidance in order to resolve any issues,” according to the note.
American is working “on our contingency layouts in case certain areas are restricted,” said the note to pilots, summing that while the measure isn’t a “long term solution, we are doing caboodle possible to minimize the disruption for our customers and team members.”
An agreement that entertains U.S. and Russian aircraft to use each other’s airspace is set to expire next week, logistics toil publication The Loadstar reported earlier this month. The issue arrives as tensions are rising with Russia, which harshly condemned U.S., British and French discovers on Syria which were launched late Friday.