Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian carriers after the Pahalgam terror attack (Pixabay)

India, China in talks over Xinjiang air route amid Pakistan airspace ban

A route through Xinjiang could offer Indian carriers another option, although any savings would depend on the route China permits and which flights can use it.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Pakistan closed airspace after Pahalgam terror attack
  • Ban increases flight time, fuel costs, and crew expenses for Indian airlines
  • Alternate route passes through Xinjiang in China

India is in talks with China on allowing Indian airlines to fly through Xinjiang as Pakistan’s airspace ban continues to make flights to Europe and the United States longer and more expensive, sources told India Today.

The proposed route would pass near Hotan in western China. The Ministry of External Affairs has been discussing the possibility with Chinese officials for nearly a year, but no agreement has been reached.

Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian carriers after the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025. Airlines have since had to divert some westbound flights over the Arabian Sea, adding to flying time, fuel consumption and crew costs.

Air India estimated last year that the ban could cost it about $600 million over 12 months if it remained in place. Its long-haul flights have been among the most affected.

Higher aviation fuel prices amid the West Asia conflict have added to the pressure.

A route through Xinjiang could offer Indian carriers another option, although any savings would depend on the route China permits and which flights can use it. For now, airlines continue to fly around Pakistani airspace.

The talks are taking place as India-China ties improve after the tensions caused by the 2020 border standoff.

Speaking at an Asia Society event in New York on Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the relationship was in a better position than it had been in recent years.

“If you asked me, compared to where you were in 2025, is the relationship better today? I would say yes. Compared to 2024, even more so,” he said.

Jaishankar described the improvement as a recovery from a relationship that had gone “so much off-track”, rather than a structural change.

- Ends