Recent developments have seen the resumption of direct flights between India and mainland China after a hiatus of over five years. The Ministry of External Affairs announced that direct air services would restart by late October 2025. This move marks thaw in bilateral relations amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. The restoration of air connectivity is expected to boost trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
Background of Flight Suspension
Direct flights between India and China were suspended in early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The global shutdown of international air travel halted most operations. Additionally, tensions following the 2020 Line of Actual Control (LAC) standoff delayed the resumption of flights despite global aviation returning to normal. India initially hesitated to restore direct connectivity even as China pushed for it.
Diplomatic Engagements Leading to Resumption
Positive signals emerged in 2024 with high-level diplomatic talks. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Beijing in January and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Delhi in August helped build consensus. Both sides agreed to resume direct flights and ease visa restrictions for tourists, businesses, and media personnel. Subsequent meetings between civil aviation officials in September further paved the way.
Airlines and Routes Restarting
IndiGo will be the first Indian carrier to start daily flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou on October 26, 2025. It plans to expand services between Delhi and Guangzhou. Air India aims to launch direct flights between Delhi and Shanghai before year-end. Chinese airlines, which previously dominated the India-China air traffic, are also expected to resume operations to Indian cities.
Impact on Travel and Trade
Lack of direct flights had led to high airfares and longer travel times. Passengers had to rely on connecting flights via Southeast Asia hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand. This reduced overall passenger traffic to less than half of 2019 levels. Resuming direct flights will enhance convenience, reduce costs, and increase competition among airlines, benefiting consumers and businesses alike.
Market Share and Aviation Sector Changes
Before the pandemic, Chinese carriers operated nearly 70 per cent of direct flights between the two countries. Indian airlines accounted for about 31 per cent. Since then, Indian aviation has transformed. Air India’s privatisation and IndiGo’s international expansion ambitions could alter market dynamics. Competition is expected to intensify, potentially reducing Chinese dominance in this sector.
Future Prospects and Challenges
The revival of direct flights is a key step toward normalising India-China relations. It supports broader diplomatic and economic engagement. However, ongoing geopolitical sensitivities may influence the pace of further cooperation. Both nations will need to maintain operational and regulatory coordination to sustain smooth air connectivity.
Questions for UPSC:
- Taking the example of India-China relations, analyse how diplomatic engagements influence international connectivity and trade.
- Examine the impact of global pandemics on international aviation and how countries manage the resumption of air services.
- Discuss in the light of India’s aviation sector privatisation and expansion, how market competition affects international air connectivity and consumer benefits.
- Critically discuss the role of transport infrastructure in enhancing bilateral relations, with examples from India’s connectivity with neighbouring countries.
