India, China Set to Reconnect: Direct Flights May Resume After 5-Year Pause

New Delhi – After a five-year standstill, India and China are in advanced discussions to resume direct flights, with airlines such as IndiGo and Air India preparing to reestablish routes between major cities like Delhi and Shanghai. The direct air link was suspended in early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions following the Galwan Valley clash.

The revival of these flights signals a warming of diplomatic ties and a shared interest in boosting travel and trade. Meetings between China’s aviation authorities and India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation have already begun addressing key operational issues, including airport slot allocations, ground handling arrangements, and regulatory formalities.

Before the suspension, direct flights connected hubs like Kolkata and Shanghai, while services to Hong Kong continued despite the mainland route shutdown.

As part of broader discussions, visa facilitation and personnel deployment are also being considered, though no changes have been made to the existing bilateral air services agreement. Once procedural clearances are complete, it will be up to the airlines to resume services by securing approvals, staffing, and infrastructure on both sides.

IndiGo recently launched a cargo route between Kolkata and Ezhou, China—a signal of renewed focus on India-China air connectivity.

Experts say that restoring direct flights could bring significant commercial benefits. Before the suspension, load factors on China-bound flights averaged 90%, underscoring strong demand. Analysts predict that, alongside passenger traffic, cargo volumes will also rise, with expectations that Chinese low-cost carriers could soon enter Indian routes serving cities like Chennai and Mumbai.

With more than a third of the world’s population between them, India and China stand to gain from renewed connectivity. Once resumed, the direct flights could not only reinvigorate tourism and business ties but also serve as a bridge to improved bilateral relations.