Indian airlines look to cross China 'wall', but may land in soup over fares

Many argue that cracking the Chinese market will be a challenge for Indian airlines as Chinese airlines drop fares when faced with competition

After more than five years, Indian aviation companies are planning to launch flights to the Chinese mainland.

Low-cost airlines SpiceJet and IndiGo are eyeing to launch flights to Guangzhou and Kunming in China, according to travel industry sources. While SpiceJet is planning to operate three weekly flights between New Delhi and Guangzhou, IndiGo may fly to either Kunming or Guangzhou.

In 2017, 800,000 Indian tourists visited China.

During a recent industry event organised at Kunming, the largest city in Yunan province, representatives from both SpiceJet and IndiGo held discussions with the airport operators, it is learnt.

At present, Indian private