The much-awaited resumption of direct flights between India and China is expected to be delayed by at least another quarter despite recent diplomatic breakthroughs between the two countries. Both the countries are working through complex regulatory processes required to restart services suspended since early 2020.
Regulatory Bottlenecks
Officials familiar with the matter said that although the resumption of direct flights was initially expected in the winter schedule, services are now unlikely to begin before early next year. Both sides are currently working on renewing the Air Services Agreement (ASA), while airlines from both countries are in the process of seeking mandatory operational clearances from each other’s aviation authorities.
A source said that airlines from both countries have yet to receive operational authorisation.
“The resumption of flights is unlikely to happen this year, as it typically takes at least three months for airlines to complete the required applications and obtain necessary approvals,” an official said.
A query sent to the ministry of civil aviation remained unanswered till the time of going to press.
Indian carriers such as Air India and IndiGo are currently in discussion with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to obtain necessary approvals. On the other side, Chinese airlines, including Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, and Shandong Airlines are working to secure clearance from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Operational Challenges
Airlines will also need to revalidate expired certifications, such as the Air Operator Certificate (AOC), and ensure compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. This includes updating operational manuals and demonstrating financial and operational readiness.
Takeoff and landing slots at key airports must also be secured through designated coordinators, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Airports Council International (ACI) for Chinese airports.
In 2019, India and China had 539 direct flights operated by airlines including Air India, IndiGo, China Southern and China Eastern. Airlines operated direct services connecting major cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
In March 2020, international flights were halted during Covid. The Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020 resulted in a complete breakdown of trust between the two countries.
Currently, an estimated 1 million passengers travel annually between the two nations via indirect routes. Industry experts believe the introduction of direct flights could potentially triple this figure to 3 million, fuelled by growing demand from tourists, students, and business travellers.
