---
title: "India Explores China’s Xinjiang Air Route to Ease Impact of Pakistan Airspace Closure"
english_title: " India Explores China’s Xinjiang Air Route Amid Pakistan Airspace Closure"
publisher: "Truevision English News"
canonical_url: "https://english.truevisionnews.com/news/384777/ india-explores-china-xinjiang-air-route-pakistan-airspace-closure"
published_at: "2026-09-29T21:58:00+05:30"
category: "International"
language: "en"
image: "https://cf.zdn.im/img/truevisionnews.com/0/image-uploads/6abbea51aa010_india-explores-china-xinjiang-air-route-pakistan-airspace-closure.jpg"
keywords: ["China Xinjiang Air Route", "Pakistan Airspace Closure", "India Alternate Air Route", "Ram Mohan Naidu", "Hotan Air Route", "Indian Airlines"]
---

# India Explores China’s Xinjiang Air Route to Ease Impact of Pakistan Airspace Closure

> **Lead Summary:** **New Delhi: **India is exploring alternative air routes through China’s Xinjiang region to ease the disruption caused by Pakistan’s continued closure of its airspace to Indian aircraft. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said discussions are underway with China regarding the possible use of an alternate route over Xinjiang for Indian flight services.

## Article Content

**New Delhi: **India is exploring alternative air routes through China’s Xinjiang region to ease the disruption caused by Pakistan’s continued closure of its airspace to Indian aircraft. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said discussions are underway with China regarding the possible use of an alternate route over Xinjiang for Indian flight services.

The move comes as Pakistan’s airspace restrictions continue to affect Indian airlines operating flights to Europe and North America. Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian aircraft in April 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent military tensions between the two countries. Pakistan has continued to extend the restriction, with its latest extension keeping the ban in place until October 24, 2026.

Because of the closure, Indian flights operating towards Europe and North America have had to take longer routes, including diversions over the Arabian Sea towards Muscat. The longer routes have increased flight times and contributed to higher operational costs and fuel consumption. Similar impacts on Indian carriers following the closure were reported when the restrictions were first imposed in 2025.

> According to Naidu, India is considering a new route over Hotan in southwestern Xinjiang that could significantly reduce the additional flying distance. “Alternative routes are being explored. Discussions are taking place between the two countries regarding the Hotan route. The Ministry of External Affairs is holding discussions with Chinese authorities,” Naidu said while speaking to journalists.

If the discussions are successful, flights departing from Delhi and Mumbai could fly via Leh and enter Chinese airspace near Hotan. From there, they could turn towards Kyrgyzstan before joining existing routes to Europe, the United Kingdom and North America.

A route through Hotan has also previously been examined as an alternative to the longer routings required when Indian aircraft cannot use Pakistani airspace. A 2025 Airports Authority of India press clipping reported that Indian airlines had sought clearance for a non-standard route via Hotan and that technical studies were being considered.

The proposed route remains subject to discussions between the concerned authorities of India and China. The government is continuing to examine alternative options to reduce the impact of the prolonged Pakistan airspace restrictions on Indian international flight operations.

English Summary: India is exploring an alternative air route through China’s Xinjiang region to reduce the impact of Pakistan’s continued airspace restrictions on Indian airlines. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said India and China are discussing a possible route over Hotan. If approved, flights from Delhi and Mumbai could travel via Leh, enter Chinese airspace near Hotan, and then head towards Kyrgyzstan before joining existing routes to Europe, the UK and North America. Pakistan’s restrictions on Indian aircraft have forced longer routes and increased flight times, fuel consumption and operating costs.

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- [Original Story Source](https://english.truevisionnews.com/news/384777/ india-explores-china-xinjiang-air-route-pakistan-airspace-closure)