Via Central Asia Direct

The primary DEL–NRT routing tracks north over Pakistan and Kazakhstan before crossing Central Asia into China FIR and then Japan. Air India, JAL, and ANA all operate direct service on this corridor. The route carries airspace_score 1 due to Central Asian corridor congestion and the Iranian FIR proximity on the western segment near departure — the initial climb out of DEL briefly approaches the IRI/PAK FIR boundary. When Central Asian FIR advisories are stable this is the fastest option.

Route passes near an advisory zone (not through it)

Monitor EASA notices for Kazakhstan FIR (UAAA) and Uzbekistan FIR (UTTT). Initial departure from DEL briefly approaches the Iran/Pakistan FIR boundary — verify current IRI advisory status. Central Asian FIR coordination can tighten when Russian airspace rerouting adds traffic.