India Negotiates with China for Hotan Airspace Access

The Government of India is negotiating with China to secure access to the Hotan waypoint route in Xinjiang as an alternative aviation corridor. These diplomatic talks aim to bypass Pakistani airspace, which has been closed to Indian aircraft since April 2025 following a terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. Pakistan recently extended these restrictions until October 24, 2026.

Air India and IndiGo have conducted feasibility studies on the proposed Hotan route to mitigate rising fuel costs and longer detours. Air India reported losses of Rs 4,000 crore in a single year due to the closures. While India has reciprocally closed its airspace to Pakistani airlines, the government is currently encouraging carriers to increase international flights from southern India to maintain growth.

Parallel to these negotiations, India and China are restoring direct air connectivity. China Southern Airlines resumed flights between Guangzhou and New Delhi on September 21, 2026, ahead of President Xi Jinping's visit to the BRICS Summit. Other carriers, including Air China, China Eastern, and IndiGo, have also expanded services between the two nations throughout 2026.