India and China are set to resume direct passenger flights as early as next month, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the discussions. The move will restore air connectivity between the two most populous nations, suspended since the Covid-19 pandemic. Indian airlines have reportedly been asked to be ready to operate flights to China at short notice, with an official announcement possibly coming during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China at the end of August.
Direct flights between the two countries were halted during the pandemic, forcing travellers to use indirect routes via hubs such as Hong Kong or Singapore. The planned reopening of air routes comes amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. Recently, India’s ties with the US faced strain after Washington doubled tariffs on Indian goods in response to India’s purchase of Russian oil.
Relations between India and China have remained tense since the 2020 border clashes, which claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers and an undisclosed number of Chinese troops. However, New Delhi has recently eased restrictions on tourist visas for Chinese nationals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the SCO summit in Tianjin from August 31, where a possible meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping could take place.
Indian aviation authorities and major carriers such as Air India and IndiGo have been briefed on the plans but have not commented publicly. The exact timeline for resuming flights remains uncertain, and negotiations could still encounter hurdles, sources cautioned. Before services were halted, Indian airlines including Air India and IndiGo operated routes to China alongside Chinese carriers such as Air China and China Southern. The current plan is for Indian airlines to restart operations soon.
Earlier efforts to resume direct flights in January and June failed amid diplomatic tensions. Renewed progress has been made only in the past two weeks, with airlines now receiving detailed briefings on the proposed restart. (Agencies)
