New Delhi: Air China will resume its direct flight service between Beijing and Delhi from April 21, marking a significant step towards restoring air connectivity between India and China after years of disruption caused by the pandemic and border tensions.
The move comes amid ongoing efforts by both countries to stabilise bilateral relations, with aviation links seen as a key indicator of improving engagement between the two neighbours.
Reacting to the development, Yu Jing, spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India, said the resumption goes beyond travel and signals a broader push to strengthen ties. In a post on X, she described it as a “big green light” for boosting trade, tourism and trust, and enhancing people-to-people exchanges under frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS.
Direct flights between India and China had remained suspended for more than four years following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the June 2020 Galwan Valley clash, one of the deadliest confrontations along the Line of Actual Control in decades.
Although limited flight services resumed in phases from October last year, the restoration of full direct connectivity has been gradual. The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier indicated that both sides were working towards normalising aviation services.
Relations between the two countries have remained strained since 2020, affecting travel, trade and diplomatic exchanges. However, a breakthrough came in October 2024 when both sides reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control, a move seen as easing tensions.
The resumption of the Beijing–Delhi route is now being viewed as part of broader efforts to rebuild engagement, with improved connectivity expected to facilitate business, tourism and official exchanges between the two nations.
