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India explores Chinese airspace route amid Pakistan ban
Published : Wednesday, 30 September, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Observer online report
India is exploring the possibility of using Chinese airspace near Hotan as Pakistan’s airspace remains closed to Indian airlines, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on Tuesday.
Naidu said India’s Foreign Ministry is discussing the matter with Chinese authorities, adding that the outcome of the talks remains to be seen.
Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian aircraft in April 2025 following an attack in Pahalgam, while India later imposed a reciprocal restriction. The restrictions have forced Indian airlines to take longer routes to Europe and North America, increasing flight times and fuel costs.
Pakistan extended its airspace restriction for Indian aircraft until 24 October in its latest notice on 16 September.
India is now considering a route through Hotan in China’s Xinjiang region. The proposed route would allow Indian aircraft to avoid Pakistani airspace and potentially reduce travel time and operating costs.
According to Hindustan Times, a Delhi-Istanbul flight currently takes around 7 hours and 47 minutes while avoiding Pakistan, compared with about 6 hours and 7 minutes if Pakistani airspace were available.
Reuters reported that Air India had urged the Indian government to begin talks with China, estimating that the airspace restrictions could cost the airline around $600 million annually. The airline also said a route through Hotan could reduce its additional operating costs.
However, using the route would require Indian aircraft to fly over Ladakh and enter Chinese airspace before passing over Hotan towards Central Asia. The high-altitude terrain and the sensitive security situation in Xinjiang could pose challenges.
India and China have recently taken steps to expand air connectivity despite tensions following the 2020 Galwan clash. IndiGo resumed direct flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou last year, followed by a Delhi-Guangzhou service. Air India also resumed Delhi-Shanghai flights in February after a six-year gap.
Indian officials have reportedly been considering the Hotan route for nearly a year. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar recently said India-China relations were in a better position than in 2024 or 2025, amid efforts to improve bilateral ties.
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
