New Delhi: Air China is set to resume direct flights between Beijing and New Delhi, marking a key step in restoring India-China air connectivity and strengthening bilateral engagement.

The announcement was made by Yu Jing, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India, who described the move as a “big green light” for enhanced trade, tourism and people-to-people exchanges under platforms such as BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

In a post on X, she said the resumption of flights goes beyond travel, signalling renewed cooperation and trust between the two countries.

India-China flights resume after years-long disruption

The restart of Beijing–Delhi direct flights comes amid a gradual normalisation of ties following disruptions caused by the 2020 border tensions.

Earlier, Air India resumed its Shanghai–New Delhi direct flight on February 1, 2026, after nearly six years. India’s Consul General in Shanghai, Pratik Mathur, said improved air connectivity is crucial for boosting trade, tourism, academic exchanges and business travel between India and East China.

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IndiGo expands India-China connectivity

Meanwhile, IndiGo is set to launch direct Kolkata–Shanghai flights from March 29, 2026, and is also planning additional routes, further strengthening India-China aviation links.

Chinese carrier China Eastern Airlines had already resumed flights between Shanghai and Delhi in November last year, making air travel between the two nations steadily more accessible.

Visa resumption boosts travel demand

India fully restored tourist and business visas for Chinese nationals in November 2025, ending a five-year suspension. Randhir Jaiswal of the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that visa services are now fully operational, supporting the revival of international travel between India and China.

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Diplomatic thaw supports aviation recovery

Bilateral relations had deteriorated after the Galwan Valley clash, which significantly impacted connectivity and cooperation.

However, diplomatic engagement has improved in recent years. Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping held talks on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg in 2023, agreeing to ease tensions.

Subsequent high-level interactions and policy measures have helped revive India-China trade ties, aviation connectivity and tourism flows, with the resumption of direct flights seen as a key milestone.