China and India: The world's two largest countries but only 5 daily flights link 2.6 billion people

China and India are the world's two largest countries with a combined 2.6 billion people - more than one third of the world's population. Yet there are on average only five flights a day between the two nations. Much of the small market has inevitably been carried via intermediary hubs in Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore. Despite being economic powerhouses and sharing a common border, China and India's historically frosty relationship has limited travel demand between them.

This is changing as China and India recently reciprocated state visits, with leaders making the unusual but symbolically important step of visiting each other's home cities far from their respective capitals. Demand is starting to grow not only for local traffic but also as Chinese carriers see an opportunity to carry US-India passengers over their hubs. India has also streamlined the visa application process for Chinese nationals. Chinese airlines are being urged into India and surrounds as part of the government's "One Belt, One Road" policy. However in order to support further growth India will need to grant Chinese carriers more traffic rights.