[Source/Observation Network by Deng Jun, Edited by Zhao Qiankun]

According to reports from the international travel media "Travel and Tourism World," airlines such as Air India and IndiGo are preparing to resume direct flights between India and China. This will not only provide convenience for business and leisure travelers but also promote economic exchanges, strengthen cultural ties, and boost tourism growth, marking a new chapter in India-China cooperation.

In 2019, approximately 50 passenger direct flights were operated weekly between China and India. These routes connected major cities such as Kolkata (CCU), Guangzhou (CAN), and Shanghai (PVG), playing a crucial role in promoting economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and tourism.

Since 2020, due to the pandemic and other reasons, direct passenger flights between mainland China and India were suspended and have yet to be resumed. Passengers now need to transfer via third locations (such as Dubai or Singapore), which increases travel time by more than 40%.

On January 27, 2025, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Indian Secretary of External Affairs Tomar held a deputy ministerial/secretarial-level dialogue in Beijing, focusing on advancing the implementation of important consensuses reached during the Kazan meeting between the leaders of the two countries. They discussed measures to improve and develop India-China relations. Both sides reached six points of consensus, including "restoring direct passenger flights between mainland China and India."

Recently, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong told the media in an interview, "I often receive complaints from Indian and Chinese friends about the inconvenience caused by the lack of direct flights, as transfers through third locations waste time and effort. They eagerly hope for the early restoration of direct passenger flights between the two countries." "Currently, the relevant authorities of both sides are intensively communicating on issues related to restoring direct flights and discussing specific plans. We sincerely hope that the Indian side will cooperate with China to achieve visible progress in these matters as soon as possible, enhancing people-to-people exchanges and cooperation levels between the two countries."

The latest report from "Travel and Tourism World" suggests that discussions between Chinese officials and the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation indicate significant breakthroughs. The focus of these discussions is simplifying key operational processes such as scheduling, ground handling, and regulatory compliance. As negotiations progress, the discussions also concentrate on simplifying visa procedures and addressing other regulatory issues to ensure seamless passenger flow between the two countries.

Among them, IndiGo Airlines and Air India are pioneers in efforts to restore direct flights between India and China. It is expected that IndiGo will focus on low-cost flights between major Indian cities and key destinations in China such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, which will be particularly beneficial for travelers seeking affordable options. Air India's involvement is crucial for maintaining the high-end tourism market; it provides direct flights between commercial and diplomatic hubs like New Delhi (DEL) and Beijing (PEK).

For Chinese airlines, the potential to enter the Indian market is promising. The entry of Chinese airlines can also offer Indian consumers more affordable travel options, especially for those who need to travel to China for business or leisure.

Despite the current positive outlook for the resumption of direct flights between India and China, and expectations that airlines will gradually increase flight frequencies and possibly add more routes and cities as demand grows, there will still be many challenges in practical implementation and execution.

According to previous reports by Reuters, since 2023, the Chinese government and Chinese airlines have repeatedly requested the restoration of direct flights between the two countries to the Indian Civil Aviation Authority, but all requests have been rejected by India.

Moreover, although the CEO of IndiGo previously expressed support for restoring direct flights and revealed that Air India has been discussing with the Indian government, India has yet to substantially relax artificial restrictions on people-to-people exchanges and economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

In terms of actual operations, Indian airlines need to ensure their employees receive adequate training and comply with local regulations in China to meet the specific new requirements for international flights to China. At the same time, Indian airlines must secure necessary take-off and landing slots at busy airports in mainland China such as Beijing (PEK) and Shanghai (PVG) to ensure their flights depart at the most convenient times. Additionally, the renewal of ground handling contracts that may have lapsed during the pandemic will be a complex process requiring enhanced coordination between airlines and ground service providers.

The report mentioned that despite these difficulties and challenges, the potential benefits of restoring direct flights between India and China far outweigh the obstacles. As both countries work together to overcome these issues, the restoration of direct flights may significantly increase travel and trade, and even potentially prompt India to ease its visa policies towards China, promoting closer ties between India and China.

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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7491256068247077413/

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