India is exploring an alternative international air corridor through China’s Xinjiang region to reduce the additional flying time and costs faced by Indian airlines because of the continued closure of Pakistani airspace. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said today that discussions are underway with China over a proposed route passing through Hotan in southwestern Xinjiang. The proposed corridor could provide a shorter option for flights currently forced to take longer routes around Pakistan. Pakistan has extended its restrictions on Indian-registered aircraft and aircraft operated or leased by Indian airlines until October 24, according to a recent Notice to Airmen issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority.
Naidu said the discussions over the Hotan route are being handled between the two countries, with India’s Ministry of External Affairs involved in the engagement. “We are looking at other alternatives. Discussion on the Hotan route is going on between the two countries,” Naidu told reporters. He said India was examining alternatives to address the impact of the existing restrictions, while stressing that the proposed route remains under discussion and that no agreement has been reached yet. The proposal would therefore require further diplomatic engagement as well as technical and operational coordination before it could be used by commercial airlines.
Under the proposed routing, aircraft departing from northern and western Indian cities such as Delhi and Mumbai could fly towards Leh before entering Chinese airspace near Hotan. From there, the route could continue towards Kyrgyzstan before joining existing international airways serving destinations in Europe, the United Kingdom and North America. The proposed corridor could also be useful for flights serving destinations in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The exact routing, however, would depend on approvals from the relevant aviation authorities and coordination over air traffic management.
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The continuing Pakistani airspace restrictions have forced Indian carriers to use longer routes for several international services. Airlines operating from northern and western India have been taking alternative paths, including routes over the Arabian Sea and around Pakistan, adding substantial flying time on some sectors. Industry estimates cited in reports suggest that the additional flying can range from about 45 minutes to two hours depending on the route. Longer journeys increase fuel consumption, aircraft utilisation and other operating costs, making the issue particularly significant for airlines with extensive long-haul networks.
Air India has been among the carriers significantly affected because of its large network of western long-haul services from Delhi and Mumbai. Former Air India chief executive Campbell Wilson estimated in 2025 that the airline had incurred losses of around ₹4,000 crore because of the Pakistani airspace closure. The continued restrictions have also affected the economics of international operations for other Indian carriers, particularly on routes where avoiding Pakistani airspace results in substantially longer flight paths. The proposed Hotan corridor is being examined partly against this backdrop.
There is currently no confirmed timeline for the opening of the proposed corridor, and Naidu did not indicate that China had agreed to allow the route. Any new air corridor would require bilateral agreement, approval from aviation authorities and coordination on air traffic control, safety procedures and operational arrangements. For now, the Hotan proposal remains under discussion as India seeks alternatives to the longer routings caused by the Pakistani airspace restrictions.
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