Reported by the "Financial Express" on September 25, the resumption of direct flights between China and India is expected to be delayed for at least three months until 2026. According to sources from India, it was initially expected that direct flights would resume in winter, but they are facing practical obstacles. The first obstacle is regulatory bottlenecks. Chinese and Indian airlines have not yet obtained operating licenses, and both sides are seeking operating permits from each other's aviation authorities, which will take at least three months to complete the application and obtain approval. The second challenge is operational. Airlines need to re-validate expired certifications, such as air operation licenses, and update their operation manuals, publish financial and operational status to ensure compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. In 2019, there were 539 direct flights between China and India, connecting major cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, direct flights between the two countries were interrupted and have not been restored for a long time. Currently, about one million passengers travel between the two countries via non-direct flights each year. Analysts believe that with the growth of tourism, education, and business demand, if direct flights are resumed, they could reach about three million passengers annually.
Original article: www.toutiao.com/article/1844773801567241/
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