Direct Flights Between India and China to Resume After Five Years

After a prolonged suspension spanning five years, India and China are preparing to reinstate direct commercial air services, marking a significant milestone in regional aviation and diplomatic relations. The anticipated resumption, expected as early as next month, follows extensive negotiations between civil aviation authorities and signals a renewed commitment to restoring connectivity between two of Asia’s largest economies.

Direct flights between the two nations were halted in early 2020 amid the global outbreak of COVID-19 and escalating border tensions, including the deadly Galwan Valley clash. Prior to the suspension, carriers such as Air India, IndiGo, Air China, and China Southern operated regular services connecting major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The abrupt cessation of scheduled passenger flights disrupted business travel, tourism, and cargo operations, forcing passengers to rely on indirect routes via third countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong.

In recent weeks, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instructed domestic carriers to prepare for immediate deployment on China-bound routes, pending final diplomatic clearance. Chinese aviation authorities are expected to reciprocate, with legacy carriers likely to re-enter the Indian market under revised bilateral air service agreements. Initial routes under consideration include Delhi–Beijing, Mumbai–Shanghai, and Bengaluru–Guangzhou, with priority given to metro-to-metro corridors that historically demonstrated strong demand.

The timing of this development coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin on August 31. A potential bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping may serve as the platform for formalizing the aviation agreement. India’s recent easing of tourist visa restrictions for Chinese nationals further underscores a shift toward normalized relations, positioning air connectivity as a strategic enabler of broader diplomatic engagement.

From a market perspective, the reinstatement of direct flights is expected to unlock significant passenger demand, particularly among business travelers, students, and tourists. The restoration of belly cargo capacity will also benefit key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and e-commerce, which rely on expedited cross-border logistics. For airlines, the move presents an opportunity to recalibrate network strategies and reintroduce widebody aircraft on high-yield routes.

Ultimately, the resumption of India–China direct flights represents more than a return to pre-pandemic operations, it reflects a strategic realignment in South Asian aviation and diplomacy.