Air India: Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian aircraft. This has caused losses for Air India, along with many other airlines, and the airline has now made a demand to the government.

Pakistan is causing losses, so now Air India has placed this demand before the Indian government.

Air India: The strained relationship between India and Pakistan has resulted in both countries closing their airspace to each other. This has resulted in significant losses for airlines, including Air India. Travel times on many long routes have increased by up to three hours, and fuel costs have risen by 29 percent.

The airspace closure is estimated to cause the company to lose $455 million annually, which is higher than the reported $439 million in 2024-25. Air India has now made a demand to the government to compensate the company for these losses.

What is Air India's demand?

Air India wants the government to grant the airline emergency access to Hotan, Kashgar, and Urumqi in Xinjiang, China, which would facilitate flights to the US, Canada, and Europe, reducing travel time and costs. According to a Reuters report, the company says that Air India's long-haul network is under severe operational and financial pressure. Therefore, permission to operate the Hotan route would be a strategic option.

Why is this route dangerous?

The route Air India is referring to, Xinjiang, China, is located between some of the world's highest mountains, reaching heights of over 20,000 feet. Therefore, many international airlines avoid this route to avoid decompression, a sudden drop in atmospheric pressure that could cause breathing difficulties for passengers, cause cabin windows or doors to open suddenly, or damage the aircraft.

Furthermore, it falls under the jurisdiction of China's People's Liberation Army Western Theater Command. Air India wants the Indian government to persuade China to allow it to use Xinjiang's sensitive military airspace. However, experts believe that China is unlikely to agree to this due to potential security risks.