India is exploring air travel through Chinese airspace to mitigate the impact of the continued closure of Pakistani airspace, Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on Tuesday.
According to a report by Hindustan Times, the alternate route under consideration is over Hotan in southwestern Xinjiang. The Pakistani airspace has been closed since the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, after India announced a slew of diplomatic and strategic measures against the neighbouring country.
Because of the Pakistani airspace closure, flights from north and western India are forced to detour over the Arabian Sea towards Muscat. It costs money and time for the airlines and passengers.
A single flight takes between 45 minutes and two hours extra to reach its destination. "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 was quoted in the report as saying.
Routes Asia 2027 to bring 115 airlines together
Naidu informed about the efforts on the sidelines of a curtain-raiser event for Routes Asia 2027 in New Delhi. Scheduled from March 16 to 18 next year, the event will bring together decision-makers from airlines, airports, destinations and aviation stakeholders involved in the Asia-Pacific domain.
Representatives from over 55 countries and over 115 leading airlines are expected to participate in Routes Asia 2027.
"India has become the third-largest domestic aviation market, and we aspire to become the third-largest aviation market globally. For that, connectivity is very important," he said.
Speaking at the curtain-raiser, Naidu called Routes Asia an important event, especially at a time when the world is trying to connect with each other. "India has become the third-largest domestic aviation market, and we aspire to become the third-largest aviation market globally. For that, connectivity is very important," he said.
Expressing hope in the event for the Indian aviation, Naidu said the event will provide a significant boost to India's regional as well as international connectivity.