Overview
- An internal Air India document shows the carrier wants permission to use a Xinjiang corridor with diversion options at Hotan, Kashgar and Urumqi to shorten flights to North America and Europe.
- Pakistan has barred Indian carriers from its airspace since April through rolling notices, forcing detours that add up to three hours on some routes and shift passengers to foreign airlines.
- Air India estimates the closure is costing about $455 million annually before tax, with fuel expenses up as much as 29% and capacity trimmed on routes such as New York– and Vancouver–Delhi.
- Operational strain has led to the suspension of Delhi–Washington and warnings that nonstop services from Mumbai and Bengaluru to San Francisco are becoming unviable due to extended flight times.
- Citing cash-flow pressure, the airline is seeking a temporary subsidy and help resolving legacy tax claims totaling about $725 million, while China’s foreign ministry says it is not aware of the request and the Xinjiang corridor remains strategically sensitive and risky.