The much-awaited resumption of direct flights between India and China is expected to be delayed by at least another quarter despite recent diplomatic breakthroughs between the two countries. Both the countries are working through complex regulatory processes required to restart services suspended since early 2020.

Regulatory Bottlenecks

Officials familiar with the matter said that although the resumption of direct flights was initially expected in the winter schedule, services are now unlikely to begin before early next year. Both sides are currently working on renewing the Air Services Agreement (ASA), while airlines from both countries are in the process of seeking mandatory operational clearances from each other’s aviation authorities.

A source said that airlines from both countrie

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