New Delhi: China has been urging India to restart direct passenger flights after a four-year hiatus, but New Delhi is holding back amid ongoing border tensions, officials confirmed.
India-China relations have remained strained since a major military clash on their disputed Himalayan border in June 2020 resulted in casualties on both sides. Despite diplomatic efforts, thousands of troops remain deployed along the border.
Since the conflict, India has imposed restrictions on Chinese investments, banned numerous popular apps, and suspended direct passenger flights, although cargo flights between the countries continue to operate.
Resuming direct flights would benefit both economies, particularly aiding China’s slow recovery in international travel post-COVID-19, while India’s aviation sector continues to expand.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that China’s government and airlines have repeatedly requested India’s civil aviation authorities to restore direct air links. China views this as a significant issue and has emphasized the mutual benefits of resuming flights.
However, a senior Indian official involved in bilateral relations stated, “Unless there is peace and tranquility on the border, progress in other areas of the relationship is unlikely.” This sentiment underscores India’s stance on the current state of affairs governing bilateral ties.
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Indian airlines are engaged in discussions with the government, while Chinese carriers are coordinating with Beijing to explore options for resuming direct flights. Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, India’s largest airline, confirmed these ongoing discussions.
Requests for comments from India’s external affairs and civil aviation ministries went unanswered at the time of reporting.
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The suspension of direct India-China flights began in early 2020 amidst escalating pandemic restrictions. Despite India lifting international air travel restrictions a year later and China relaxing all COVID-related travel measures in early 2023, direct flights have yet to resume. Travelers between the two nations now must transit through hubs like Hong Kong, Dubai, or Singapore, significantly extending travel times.
The potential market for direct India-China flights remains promising, according to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson, who noted that current challenges are influenced by factors “beyond our level”.
