China and India recently held talks on resuming direct passenger flights. While specific details remain under discussion, both sides have clearly signaled their intention to restart services.
Airlines including IndiGo, Air India, and Tibet Airlines are currently engaged in active discussions with aviation authorities regarding potential flight arrangements.
IndiGo and Air India are expected to take the lead in restarting direct routes between the two countries.
IndiGo is reportedly planning to focus on low-cost flights connecting major Indian cities and China's key destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
In a related move, Kunming Airport announced in February that it plans to resume its passenger flights to Kolkata, aiming to boost regional connectivity and travel options.
Currently, India only issues business visas to Chinese nationals, creating inconvenience for many travelers, including tourists and business visitors.
In contrast, China has taken steps since last year to simplify visa procedures for Indian citizens, including removing online appointment requirement and reducing visa fees.
As of April 9, China had issued over 85,000 visas to Indian citizens, spanning categories such as business, tourism, education, employment, and family visits.
However, the absence of direct flights remains a major obstacle. Travelers often need to transit through third countries such as Thailand, Singapore, or Vietnam, adding both travel time and costs.
