Air India Eyes Xinjiang Route to Reduce Costs from Pakistan Airspace Ban

 


Air India Pushes for Xinjiang Airspace Access as Financial Strain Deepens

Air India is urging the Indian government to negotiate access to a restricted military airspace corridor over China’s Xinjiang region, as the carrier faces mounting financial pressure from Pakistan’s continued airspace restrictions. According to an internal company document, the airline believes that routing flights through Xinjiang could significantly shorten travel times and reduce operational costs.

The request comes at a sensitive time, only weeks after direct flights between India and China resumed following a five-year suspension triggered by the Himalayan border confrontation. While the resumption marked a cautious thaw in relations, Air India’s push for special airspace access highlights the operational challenges the airline is currently confronting.

Impact of Pakistan’s Airspace Closure

Pakistan’s denial of overflight permissions has forced Air India to operate longer, fuel-intensive routes for several international destinations. These detours have inflated operating costs, reduced efficiency, and added to the overall financial strain on the carrier.

Industry analysts note that even marginal route adjustments can result in substantial savings for airlines. With global competition increasing and fuel prices fluctuating, access to the Xinjiang corridor could provide Air India with a crucial operational advantage.

Strategic and Diplomatic Sensitivities

Requesting clearance to use a tightly controlled military zone adds a layer of diplomatic complexity. China’s Xinjiang region is considered a highly sensitive airspace, and obtaining permission would likely require significant bilateral engagement.

Still, Air India appears determined to explore alternatives to mitigate financial losses that have accumulated due to the Pakistan airspace blockade. Whether China will entertain a request that intersects both military sensitivity and geopolitical tension remains uncertain.

What It Means for India-China Aviation Ties

Air India’s lobbying effort underscores the fragile but evolving nature of aviation connectivity between India and China. If successful, it could open the door to improved operational viability for Indian carriers and potentially contribute to a more stable aviation corridor in Asia. However, the decision ultimately hinges on China’s strategic calculus and the broader diplomatic climate.

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