Beijing: Air China will resume direct flights between Beijing and Delhi, the Chinese Embassy in India confirmed on Saturday.
In a post on social media platform X, embassy spokesperson Yu Jing stated that the revival of these direct flights goes beyond travel convenience. It is a strategic step to enhance trade, tourism, and mutual trust between the two nations, and sends a positive signal for cooperation among members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS.
Last year, after nearly a five-year hiatus, India and China restarted air services, signaling an improvement in bilateral relations. On February 1, Air India launched direct flights between Shanghai and Delhi, marking the first service between the two cities in six years. Additionally, China Eastern Airlines began Shanghai-Delhi flights in November 2025.
Bilateral ties had deteriorated after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers. China confirmed four fatalities on its side. Efforts to reduce tensions were reinforced during the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, August 2023, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping agreed to strengthen dialogue.
In August 2025, PM Modi visited China for the first time in six years, meeting Xi Jinping amid rising U.S. tariffs on both nations. Following this visit, Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong emphasized Beijing’s support for India in opposing these U.S.-imposed tariffs.
The resumption of Air China’s direct flights marks a significant step in reviving people-to-people contact, trade, and strategic dialogue between India and China.
