New Delhi: Direct passenger flights between India and China may resume as early as next month, with airlines instructed to be ready at short notice, Bloomberg reported.
According to the report, an official announcement could come by the end of August in China, potentially coinciding with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin on August 31, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend.
Flights between the two countries were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, forcing travellers to transit through hubs such as Hong Kong or Singapore. Before the suspension, carriers including Air India, IndiGo, Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern operated regular services connecting major cities in both nations.
While discussions have progressed, Bloomberg cautioned that the timing remains uncertain and talks could still face hurdles. If flights resume, Air India and IndiGo are expected to restart operations.
Bilateral ties have been strained since 2020 following clashes in Galwan Valley and Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh. Some de-escalation was achieved in late 2024, with troop disengagement at four friction points. India has maintained that peace along the border is essential for stronger relations.
Earlier attempts to restart flights in January stalled after a Pakistan-backed terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir reignited tensions. The plan was revived in June but only gained momentum in recent weeks, with airlines now briefed on the proposal.
