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 se...