Via Central Asia Northern Route

Northern BOM–ICN routing over Pakistan, Central Asian FIRs, and China. Geometrically shorter (~4,800 km vs ~5,050 km) but carries airspace_score 1 due to Central Asian corridor congestion and Iranian FIR proximity on the western segment near BOM departure. The advisory-clean southern routing via Bay of Bengal is preferred in most cases — this northern path is only advantageous when Central Asian FIR advisories are clear and the time saving is operationally meaningful.

Route passes near an advisory zone (not through it)

Monitor EASA notices for Kazakhstan FIR (UAAA) and Pakistan FIR (OPKR). Initial departure from BOM northbound approaches the Iranian FIR boundary — verify IRI advisory status. Central Asian corridor congestion can increase when Russian airspace rerouting adds traffic.