NEW DELHI, September 30, 2026: India is exploring an alternative air corridor through China’s Xinjiang region as continued restrictions on Pakistani airspace have forced Indian airlines to use longer routes for flights to Europe, North America and other western destinations. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has confirmed that discussions are underway with China over a possible route through Hotan in southwestern Xinjiang.
Indian carriers currently using alternative routes over the Arabian Sea have faced additional flying time and higher operational costs. Recent reports indicate that some flights have experienced delays of around 45 minutes to two hours, while other reports put the additional time at up to three hours depending on the route and destination.
The impact has been particularly significant for Air India. Former CEO Campbell Wilson said in October 2025 that the airline expected the Pakistani airspace restrictions to result in losses of around ₹4,000 crore.
Under the proposed Hotan corridor, flights from northern and western India could travel toward Leh before entering Chinese airspace near Hotan and continuing toward Central Asia and onward routes to Europe and North America. The route is still under discussion, and no final agreement has been reached between India and China. Any new corridor would require bilateral approval as well as coordination on air-traffic management and operational arrangements.
The proposed route is being considered as an alternative to the longer paths currently used by Indian carriers and could provide another option for international connectivity if an agreement with China is reached.
