Archive · 5 Oct 2026
India Weighs Costly Hotan Route as Airfare Remains High
Indian airlines have to take longer routes because they cannot fly over Pakistan.
India is discussing whether planes could instead fly through a part of China near the city of Hotan.
The route could help planes reach Europe and North America, but it has not been approved.
The area has very high mountains, so pilots would need careful plans for emergencies.
There are also few suitable airports nearby.
India and China would need to agree on allowing the flights through their airspace.
Longer trips use more fuel and require more crew time, which costs airlines money.
Higher fuel prices and other disruptions have made the problem worse.
India is discussing a possible flight corridor through Hotan, China, to avoid Pakistani airspace, but talks are at an early stage.
The proposed route could take flights from Delhi or Mumbai north toward Leh, across Chinese airspace, and west toward existing routes to Europe or North America.
The mountainous terrain, limited emergency landing options, and geopolitical sensitivities pose major challenges for the route.
Pakistan's airspace closure for Indian aircraft, in effect since April 2025 and extended through October 24, has increased flight times and costs.
Higher fuel prices and wider airspace disruptions linked to the Iran war have added pressure on Indian airlines.
- Who
- India's Civil Aviation Ministry and External Affairs Ministry are discussing the route with China; Indian airlines would use it.
- What
- A possible commercial flight route through Hotan, China, is being explored as an alternative to flying over Pakistan.
- When
- The discussions were described as ongoing on Tuesday; no timeline for an agreement was given.
- Where
- The proposed corridor would pass from near Leh into Chinese airspace around Hotan, Xinjiang, and continue west.
- Why
- Pakistan's airspace closure and other airspace disruptions have forced Indian airlines onto longer, more expensive routes.
- Proposed corridor
- Flights from Delhi or Mumbai could head toward Leh, enter Chinese airspace near Hotan, and then travel west.
- Talks status
- Discussions with China are at an early stage; no timeline has been announced.
- Pakistan airspace restrictions
- Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian planes in April 2025; the current restrictions were stated to run through October 24.
- Air India projected cost
- Air India reportedly estimated losses of more than Rs 5,000 crore for each year the ban continued.
- Air India estimate
- Former CEO Campbell Wilson said in October that rerouting had caused an impact of Rs 4,000 crore at the six-month mark.
- Domestic market shares
- DGCA data for August put IndiGo at 65% and the Air India group at 26.7%.
- Jet fuel prices
- The global average was reported at $185.43 per barrel last week, compared with about $99 per barrel on February 27.
- Route hazards
- The route crosses mountain ranges with peaks around 20,000 feet, and the article describes limited equipped airports in the region.