Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Tuesday revealed that India is looking at an alternative air route over Xinjiang province of China to offset the impact of closing Pakistani airspace. The recent closure of Iranian airspace amid the war also makes the proposed route over China significant.
"We are looking at other alternatives. Discussion on the Hotan route is going on between the two countries. Our external affairs ministry (MEA) is engaging with their country. Let us see how it goes, but we are trying alternatives," Naidu said, referring to China.
Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian-registered, operated or leased flights in the aftermath of Pahalgam terror attack on April 24, 2025. On April 30, India also responded with a reciprocal ban.
Following this, India carriers, including Air India and IndiGo, operating flights from northern India to the Middle East, Europe and North America have been forced to take longer alternative routes.
Iranian airspace is also under severe restrictions and recurring closures, because of which Indian carriers have avoided the route.
Currently, flights from northern and eastern airports like Jaipur, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Lucknow and Kolkata are diverted through Lima 639 and Lima 301 routes by the Ahmedabad and Mumbai air traffic control.
This route passes over the Arabian Sea and reach the Oman airspace, before flying to Europe, North America or Central Asia. Due to this, flight durations have increased by one to three extra hours.
The proposed route over Xinjiang's Hotan will see Indian flights cross into Chinese airspace via Leh and proceed west towards Central Asia. It could save fuel and time for flights to Central Asia and Eastern Europe.
