India, China to resume direct flights by late October after five-year hiatus

India and China have agreed to resume direct passenger flights by the end of October 2025, restoring air connectivity after over five years of suspension, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Oct 2.

According to the MEA, civil aviation authorities from both countries have been holding technical-level discussions earlier in 2025 to finalize routes, revise their Air Services Agreement, and determine operational feasibility.

The restoration is seen as part of a broader diplomatic push to normalize bilateral ties strained by years of border tensions.

The winter schedule will govern the resumption of services, with India’s IndiGo expected to be among the first carriers to operate non-stop flights.

In fact, IndiGo plans to launch daily direct flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou (China) starting October 26, pending regulatory clearances.

The airline has also indicated it may soon begin Delhi–Guangzhou services.

The move to resume flights holds both symbolic and practical implications. It signals a thaw in diplomatic relations following a series of high-level engagements, including Prime Minister Modi’s visit to China.

It is also expected to help revive people-to-people exchanges, boost tourism, and reduce travel time and costs for business, academic, and personal travel between the two nations.

However, obstacles remain. Resumption depends on both governments clearing operational criteria, regulatory approvals, slot allocations, and safety checks.

Moreover, lingering mistrust due to border standoffs may make full confidence slower to rebuild.

Direct air services between India and China were suspended in 2020, initially due to the Covid-19 pandemic and later compounded by deteriorating diplomatic relations and border skirmishes.

The break in air connectivity forced travelers to use transit hubs like Hong Kong, Bangkok, or Singapore.