New Delhi / Beijing — In a landmark move toward diplomatic reconciliation, India and China have agreed to resume direct passenger air services after a gap of more than five years. Following months of technical and diplomatic engagement, the relaunch is expected to strengthen people-to-people ties and commercial connectivity between Asia’s two biggest economies.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that direct routes between selected cities will resume by late October 2025, contingent on commercial carrier interest and compliance with operational requirements.
IndiGo Paves the Way
India’s low-cost giant, IndiGo, is the first to commit. It plans to launch daily nonstop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou (CAN) starting October 26, 2025. Meanwhile, the airline aims to introduce direct Delhi–Guangzhou service soon, pending regulatory clearances, using its Airbus A320neo fleet.
Inside the aviation sector, sources suggest Air India (part of the Tata Group) is preparing to reenter China routes later this year, with a Delhi–Shanghai line as a strong candidate. Chinese carriers, which once dominated these routes, are also expected to make a comeback.
From Suspension to Restart
Direct flights between India and China ceased in early 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But the cap on service extended far beyond the pandemic era, largely due to elevated tensions following the 2020 China–India border standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The resumption of flights is widely seen as a symbolic and practical outcome of recent diplomatic overtures.
Over the past five years, travelers between India and China have had to rely on indirect connections via hubs like Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Singapore. The restored direct services promise multiple benefits:
- People-to-people ties: Easier access for students, researchers, families, and business travelers.
- Trade & commerce: Faster movement of goods, services, and business delegations.
- Tourism incentives: Renewed opportunities for inbound and outbound tourism in both countries.
This development follows a series of diplomatic steps, including reinstating Chinese visa issuance in India and high-level ministerial talks. Many observers see it as a pragmatic move to rebuild trust and operational cooperation while leaving more contentious territorial and political issues to structured dialogue.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why were India–China direct flights suspended for so long?
Flights stopped in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tensions along the India–China border further delayed resumption until diplomatic talks stabilized ties in 2025.
2. When will direct flights between India and China restart?
The first routes are scheduled to reopen in late October 2025, starting with IndiGo ’s Kolkata–Guangzhou service.
3. Which airlines will operate India–China flights?
IndiGo is launching the first direct flight. Air India is expected to restart services by the end of 2025, while Chinese carriers are preparing to return to the market.
4. Which routes are confirmed so far?
IndiGo will operate Kolkata–Guangzhou daily flights from October 26, 2025, and plans to add Delhi–Guangzhou. Air India is considering Delhi–Shanghai as its first route.
5. How will the resumption of flights benefit travelers?
The direct services will reduce travel time and cost, support students studying abroad, improve business connectivity, and boost tourism between both nations.
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