What's Happening?
China Eastern Airlines is set to resume flights to New Delhi for the first time since early 2020, marking a significant step in rebuilding air connectivity between mainland China and India. The Shanghai-based carrier has scheduled three weekly flights between Shanghai Pudong
International Airport and New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport starting November 9, using Airbus A330-200 aircraft. This relaunch revives one of China Eastern’s two pre-pandemic India routes, which included six weekly flights between Shanghai and New Delhi and eight weekly roundtrips between Kunming and Kolkata. All direct services between the two countries were halted following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the deterioration of bilateral relations after the June 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. The plans to resume flights follow renewed diplomatic engagement between Beijing and New Delhi, including August talks between foreign ministers that led to an agreement to restore direct air links.
Why It's Important?
The resumption of flights by China Eastern Airlines is a significant development in the context of improving diplomatic relations between China and India. The restoration of air connectivity is expected to facilitate increased business and tourism between the two countries, potentially boosting economic ties. Before the pandemic, nine nonstop routes connected the two countries, with over 1.25 million passengers in 2019. The resumption of flights could help recover the passenger traffic that had fallen by half by 2024. Additionally, the move coincides with IndiGo’s reentry into the China market, indicating a broader trend of normalization in air travel between the two nations.
What's Next?
With the resumption of flights, both China and India are likely to see increased bilateral engagements in various sectors, including business, tourism, and cultural exchanges. The renewed air connectivity could also lead to further diplomatic engagements and collaborations in other areas. Airlines from both countries may explore additional routes and partnerships to capitalize on the growing demand for travel between the two nations.
