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 pre-pandemic India routes, which included frequent flights between Shanghai and New Delhi, and Kunming and Kolkata. The resumption follows renewed diplomatic engagement between Beijing and New Delhi, including talks between foreign ministers in August that led to an agreement to restore direct air links.
Why It's Important?
The resumption of flights between China and India is significant as it reflects improving bilateral relations following tensions from the June 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. This development is expected to enhance economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries, potentially boosting tourism and business travel. Before the pandemic, nine nonstop routes connected China and India, with over 1.25 million passengers in 2019. The restoration of these routes could help recover the passenger traffic that had fallen by half by 2024. Additionally, China Eastern's return coincides with IndiGo's reentry into the China market, indicating a broader trend of renewed connectivity between the two nations.
What's Next?
China Eastern Airlines' planned return to India follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Royal Air Maroc, aimed at strengthening air connectivity between Morocco and China. This partnership will include codesharing on key routes and expanded connections beyond both carriers’ hubs. As diplomatic relations continue to improve, further agreements and collaborations between airlines from both countries may emerge, potentially leading to increased flight frequencies and new routes. Stakeholders in the aviation industry will likely monitor these developments closely, assessing the impact on passenger traffic and market share.
