Aviation
Air India Requests Access to Xinjiang Airspace to Save Costs
Facing heavy losses from Pakistan’s airspace ban, Air India is exploring access to China’s Xinjiang airspace to shorten routes to the US, Canada, and Europe, according to a Reuters report.
Air India’s long-haul operations are facing mounting pressure as geopolitical constraints reshape global flight paths.
With Pakistan’s airspace ban continuing to inflate costs and flight times, the Tata Group–owned carrier is now exploring an unconventional but strategic alternative to protect its international network.
According to a document reviewed by Reuters, air india plane has sought approval from the Indian government to access Chinese airspace over the Xinjiang region to shorten flight routes to the United States, Canada, and Europe.
The move comes as Pakistan’s ongoing ban on Indian carriers forces lengthy detours, costing Air India an estimated $455 million annually and adding up to three hours to some long-haul flights.
The airline has requested alternative routing options along with emergency access to airports in Hotan, Kashgar, and Urumqi. Xinjiang, however, lies within a sensitive military zone overseen by China’s Western Theater Command, an area typically avoided by commercial airlines due to security and operational concerns.
In its submission to Indian officials, air india flights described its long-haul network as being under “severe operational and financial strain,” calling access to the Xinjiang routes a potentially strategic solution. The request follows the recent resumption of direct India–China flights after a five-year suspension triggered by border tensions in the Himalayas.
This push for more efficient routing aligns with air india broader transformation under the Tata Group. After years of relying on ageing wide-body aircraft, the airline is preparing for a major fleet renewal as it inducts next-generation long-haul jets.
Air India is set to take delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in the first quarter of 2026. Registered as VT-AWA, the aircraft will be the first of 20 787-9s ordered under the airline’s landmark 2023 deal for over 200 Boeing aircraft.
These new Dreamliners are expected to strengthen long-haul operations from key hubs such as Delhi and Mumbai, supporting Air India’s ambition to rebuild itself into a competitive, premium global carrier while navigating increasingly complex geopolitical challenges.
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