India-China Flights Resuming Soon

Summary of Direct Flight Resumption between India and China

1. Announcement of Flights:

   • The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that direct flights between India and mainland China will resume in late October 2025.
   • IndiGo will launch daily flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou starting October 26, 2025, with plans for further flights from Delhi.

2. Historical Context:

   • Direct flights between India and the Chinese mainland were suspended in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with connections remaining since then only through Hong Kong.

3. Impact of the Suspension:

   • The lack of direct flights led to increased airfare and prolonged travel times, forcing travelers to connect through Southeast Asian hubs.
   • Before the pandemic (December 2019), there were 539 scheduled direct flights monthly between India and China, with a seat capacity exceeding 125,000.

4. Airline Operations:

   • Prior to the pandemic, Indian carriers IndiGo and Air India operated 168 flights, about 31% of the total, while Chinese airlines held the remaining share.
   • Air India plans to start direct flights between Delhi and Shanghai by the end of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.

5. Government and International Relations:

   • Discussions for resuming flights began as part of the Government’s approach to normalize India-China relations following tensions from the Eastern Ladakh standoff in 2020.
   • Efforts have included engagements at technical levels between civil aviation authorities and foreign ministers.

6. Visa and Tourism Implications:

   • The two countries have agreed to facilitate visa issuance for tourists and business travelers, addressing ongoing requests from China.
   • The normalization of flights and visa policies is seen as a step toward enhancing trade, business partnerships, and tourism between India and China.

7. Economic Data:

   • Passenger traffic between India and China is currently less than half of pre-pandemic levels (2019).
   • Airlines have been losing potential passenger loads due to the lack of direct connectivity, with neighboring airlines benefiting from the demand.

8. Industry Expectations:

   • While Chinese carriers previously held a dominant share, industry analysts predict that Indian carriers might regain ground due to changes in the aviation sector since 2019.
   • Air India, now privatized, is expected to pursue rapid growth, particularly in international markets.

9. Operational Criteria:

   • Direct air services will resume subject to the commercial decisions of designated carriers and fulfillment of operational criteria set by regulatory bodies.

10. Conclusion:

    • The resumption of flights marks a significant step towards improving India-China relations, enhancing connectivity, and revitalizing tourism and trade.