India and China Explore Civil Aviation Revamp: Direct Flights Under Discussion

India and China are working towards strengthening their civil aviation sector cooperation, including the potential resumption of direct flights. High-level discussions involving Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu and Chinese delegates took place during the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation. Decisions will follow further discussions with the external affairs ministry.

India and China are considering new measures to bolster their civil aviation collaboration, focusing on the resumption of direct flights between the two nations. This was discussed in a high-level meeting involving India's Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu and China's Song Zhiyong.

The discussions occurred on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation in New Delhi. Naidu shared on X (formerly Twitter) about the courtesy meeting aimed at fostering closer civil aviation ties, with special emphasis on restarting scheduled passenger flights.

Post-meeting, Naidu revealed to reporters that while the idea of resuming direct flights was discussed, no final decision has been made. Further consultations with the external affairs ministry and relevant stakeholders are required. Direct flight services between the two countries were stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting carriers like IndiGo and Air India.

(With inputs from agencies.)