'It's trade, tourism, trust': Air China restarts direct Beijing–Delhi flight

Direct flights between India and China were suspended for over four years due to COVID-19 and tensions after the June 2020 Galwan Valley clash

Published on: Mar 21, 2026, 22:06:08 IST

Edited by Shivya Kanojia

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Direct flights between New Delhi and Beijing have resumed, rekindling hopes of renewed engagement between the two countries. On Saturday, the Chinese Embassy in India stated that Air China has restarted its direct Beijing–Delhi service.

Air China resumes direct flights between Beijing and Delhi. (X@Yu Jing)

Reacting to the development, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Yu Jing, in a post on X, said the move signals broader cooperation between the two countries, impacting trade, tourism and bilateral and multilateral ties.

"Air China resuming direct flights between Beijing & Delhi = more than just travel! It's Trade, Tourism, Trust -- and a BIG green light for SCO & BRICS people-to-people cooperation!" the post read.

A gradual reset after years of disruption

Direct flights between India and China had been suspended for more than four years; first due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and then amid tensions following the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, one of the deadliest confrontations between the two sides in decades.

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It wasn’t until October last year that both countries formally resumed direct air services, marking a significant step towards restoring normalcy in ties that had remained strained for years.

Since then, progress has been incremental. In October 2024, India and China reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control, seen as a key step in easing tensions.

The Ministry of External Affairs stated in October 2025 that direct flight operations would resume.

The restoration of routes has been phased rather than immediate:

The first resumed flight operated between Kolkata and Guangzhou on October 26, 2025, news agency ANI reported.
A Shanghai–New Delhi route followed on November 9, running three times a week.

Indian carriers are also stepping back into the corridor. IndiGo had earlier announced plans to be among the first to restart operations, introducing daily non-stop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou using Airbus A320neo aircraft.

(With ANI inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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