India and China have initiated preliminary discussions to restore direct flight connectivity between the two nations, years after services were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating border tensions. Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam confirmed on Monday that the talks are still in their early stages, with no timeline set for the resumption of flights.
Speaking at an Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) conference focused on aviation and tourism, Vualnam acknowledged that while the initial round of talks has taken place, some outstanding issues still need resolution before any concrete progress can be made.
Direct flights between India and China were halted in 2020 following the outbreak of the coronavirus and the deadly Galwan Valley clash, which significantly strained bilateral relations. Prior to the suspension, numerous weekly flights operated between major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Kunming in China and Indian metros such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
Last month, Chinese Consul General in Kolkata, Xu Wei, hinted at ongoing efforts to restore air connectivity, while the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that both sides had agreed “in principle” to resume direct flights following top diplomat Vikram Misri’s visit to China in January.
The Galwan clash in June 2020, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops, marked a low point in India-China ties. In the aftermath, India banned 59 Chinese apps citing national security concerns, prompting criticism from Beijing, which termed the move discriminatory.
In addition to international flight issues, Secretary Vualnam also addressed the persistent concern over rising domestic airfares in India. He emphasized that while the Indian aviation market is deregulated and offers some of the lowest fares in the Asia-Pacific region, price spikes during festive seasons have drawn attention from elected representatives and the public.
To address this, a tariff monitoring unit has been established under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the AirSewa portal is being upgraded to give greater visibility to fare-related issues. Consumers can now lodge complaints directly through the portal, and the ministry will intervene in cases of excessive or monopolistic pricing.
Vualnam acknowledged that the highest fare category—often the focus of public outcry—accounts for just 1% of total ticket sales. He encouraged airlines to self-regulate and bring moderation to such pricing.
Supporting Vualnam’s remarks, SpiceJet’s Chief Customer Officer Kamal Hingorani shared insights into airline profitability. He said most domestic tickets purchased 30 days in advance result in losses, while those booked closer to departure—within 7 to 13 days—generate marginal profit. Only last-minute bookings offer significant returns, he added, highlighting the fragile nature of the Indian aviation sector where 16 airlines have shut operations and only five remain.
“The industry needs to mature for sustainable profitability,” Hingorani noted.
The resumption of India-China direct flights, if successful, could mark a significant step in restoring not just travel but broader engagement between the two Asian powers.
Sources By Agencies
