After a long five-year break in direct air travel, India and China are preparing to resume passenger flights as early as next month—a significant stride in their evolving diplomatic relationship, insiders say. Sources familiar with the situation revealed that Indian airlines have been instructed to stay on standby, ready to operate flights on very short notice. An official announcement is widely expected during the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, scheduled for the end of August in China. The Economic TimesThe Times of India
A Break in the Sky
Direct passenger flights between India and China were suspended in early 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. Compounding the closure were heightened tensions after deadly border clashes in June of that year in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley. The clashes resulted in the loss of 20 Indian soldiers and multiple casualties on the Chinese side, and sharply disrupted bilateral ties.
Over the past few years, travelers between the two nations had to detour through transit hubs such as Hong Kong or Singapore—adding time, cost, and complexity to travel plans. The Economic Times
Steps Toward Normalisation
Diplomatic efforts have gathered pace recently. In June, India and China agreed to quicken the restoration of direct air services, a move harbored as a practical step toward rebuilding trust and linkages. The decision followed high-level talks between India’s Foreign Secretary and China’s Vice-Foreign Minister. Reuters
Meanwhile, in a clear gesture of thawing ties, India resumed issuing tourist visas for Chinese citizens earlier this summer after a prolonged suspension that lasted five years. The Times of India
Preparing for Take-off
Government officials have briefed domestic carriers, including Air India and IndiGo, advising them to gear up operations to China on very short notice—possibly within weeks. Negotiations are underway behind the scenes, ensuring that everything from aircraft readiness to crew scheduling and regulatory approvals are in place. The Economic Times
While no public statement has been issued yet, all signs point to a coordinated announcement aligned with the SCO summit—where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend and possibly meet President Xi Jinping. The Economic Times
Why It Matters
Resuming direct flights carries symbolic and practical significance. For travelers, it means quicker, more convenient trips. More importantly, it signals a deliberate effort by two of Asia’s largest nations to rebuild people-to-people connections and to reinstate some normalcy in bilateral relations.
The move also comes amid global shifts in geopolitics. India’s relations with the United States are fraught following tariff tensions, and improving ties with China may reflect strategic recalibration in diplomatic outreach. The Economic Timeswww.ndtv.comNavbharat Times
Looking Ahead
If all goes as planned, direct passenger flights between India and China could resume in the coming month—putting an end to a five-year hiatus and reopening one of Asia’s most significant aerial corridors. Airlines stand ready, officials await formal confirmation, and travelers are hopeful for smoother skies ahead.
