India and China poised to resume direct flights soon

India and China are on early talks of resuming direct flights after a pandemic-induced hiatus, promising a significant boost to travel, trade, and bilateral relations.

With both governments are actively engaged in discussions to finalize the details. China has been particularly proactive, keen to re-establish seamless travel for its citizens, especially business professionals and technicians crucial for various projects in India. Responding to these needs, India has already streamlined visa procedures for Chinese technicians, particularly those contributing to sectors under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

While the official date for resumption of flights is still pending, "positive indications" suggest that the wait might soon be over. This news brings relief to travelers who have endured lengthy journeys and inflated costs due to the absence of direct flights. Before the pandemic brought travel to a standstill, a direct flight between New Delhi and Beijing took approximately 6 hours and cost around $550. Currently, travelers face journeys exceeding 10 hours with layovers, and ticket prices have more than doubled to over $1,200.

The resumption of direct flights is poised to have a far-reaching impact, not just on tourism but also on trade relations. China currently holds the position of India's largest import source, accounting for roughly 15% of all inbound shipments in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. In contrast, India's exports to China during the same period stood at a modest 3.4%.

While passenger traffic came to a halt during the pandemic, air freight between the two countries continued, demonstrating the trade relationship. In 2022 and 2023, imports from China to India witnessed a rise, though a marginal decline was observed this year due to disruptions caused by India's general elections. In the April-June quarter of 2024, India imported 4,000 tonnes of air cargo from China, a drop from 7,050 tonnes in the same quarter of the previous year and 8,550 tonnes in 2022. However, these figures still surpass the 6,000 tonnes imported in 2019, indicating a positive trend in trade volume.

The resumption of direct flights is expected to further stimulate this trade, reducing shipping times and costs. It's a win-win situation for both the countries. 

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and are author's own view.