Air India is pressing its government to engage with China over access to the restricted Xinjiang region of Chinese airspace, as the closure of Pakistani airspace has severely impacted its long-haul operations.
The ban by Pakistan has forced the carrier to reroute flights to North America and Europe, increasing fuel costs by up to 29% and adding as much as three hours to some journeys.
Air India estimates the annual financial hit from the Pakistan over-flight ban at around US$455 million, mounting considerable pressure on its profitability.
The airline’s document suggests that gaining clearance from China for routes via Hotan, Kashgar or Urumqi could help restore cost-efficiency and time savings, but China has shown no commitment yet.