China and India have agreed to resume direct flights between the two nations for the first time in more than five years. The move marks a significant step towards mending diplomatic ties and restoring travel links that were disrupted by the pandemic and a deadly border clash. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the thawing of diplomatic relations, including the formal agreement to resume direct flights.
The resumption of direct flights will be beneficial for both Chinese and Indian carriers, particularly Indigo, which has expanded its international network significantly since 2019. With over 70 widebodies and 200 A321s set to be delivered, Air India is well-positioned to establish trunk routes and connect secondary cities in both nations.
According to previous data, direct flights between China and India operated on nine routes before the pandemic. These routes include Delhi-Beijing, Delhi-Chengdu, and Mumbai-Guangzhou. With the resumption of direct flights, business and trade travel are expected to be the primary focus, with an emphasis on Delhi as a main hub.
Historically, Chinese carriers dominated the market, holding more than 80% of the available seats per month. However, industry observers anticipate that Chinese carriers will not maintain this share due to significant changes in the Indian aviation sector since 2019. With Air India’s privatization and expansion plans, and IndiGo’s focus on international connections, the balance of power is expected to shift.
The resumption of direct flights is seen as a positive development for both nations, with increased opportunities for trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchange. As both countries look to strengthen their ties, this move marks an important step towards a brighter future in bilateral relations.
Source: https://simpleflying.com/direct-flights-india-china-restart