Air India eyes China airspace as Pakistan ban hits carrier’s operational costs

Air India is actively seeking access to restricted military airspace within China's Xinjiang region, a strategic maneuver designed to alleviate substantial operational costs and extended flight times. These challenges stem directly from Pakistan's ongoing airspace ban for Indian carriers, a restriction that threatens to reduce Air India's annual pre-tax profit by an estimated $455 million, surpassing its projected fiscal 2024-25 loss of $439 million.

The Tata Group and Singapore Airlines-owned carrier formally submitted a request to Indian officials in late October, urging the Indian Government to secure China's approval for alternative flight paths. This request also includes provisions for emergency landing rights at key airports in Hotan, Kashgar, and Urumqi. Restoring operational efficiency on long-haul services to the United States, Canada, and Europe remains critical, as these routes have faced severe disruptions since diplomatic tensions led to the closure of Pakistani airspace in April.

Navigating the proposed Xinjiang route presents considerable challenges, as it traverses some of the world's highest terrain, exceeding 20,000 feet, and lies entirely within the People's Liberation Army's Western Theater Command. Aviation analysts highlight significant security and safety concerns, including the presence of missile and air-defence installations and a scarcity of suitable emergency landing facilities. The Chinese Foreign Ministry, along with US and Indian aviation authorities, have not commented on the request, leaving the approval status uncertain given the complex geopolitical and operational factors.

The closure of Pakistan's airspace has intensified operational pressures on Air India, which had previously capitalized on a near-monopoly on non-stop routes between India and North America after US carriers adjusted flights away from Russian airspace. This lobbying effort by Air India underscores the profound geopolitical and economic ramifications of restricted air corridors across South and Central Asia, forcing airlines to seek innovative, albeit challenging, solutions to maintain global connectivity and profitability.