India and China to Resume Direct Flights After Five-Year Suspension

Direct Flights Between India and China to Resume

Direct commercial flights between India and China are slated to resume by late October 2025, marking the end of a five-year suspension. The decision follows extensive technical-level discussions between the civil aviation authorities of both nations and a revised Air Services Agreement. This move is seen as a significant step towards the gradual normalisation of bilateral relations, which have been strained since 2020.

Five-Year Hiatus Driven by Pandemic and Border Tensions

The suspension of direct air services initially began in March 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, the hiatus was prolonged and exacerbated by heightened border tensions, most notably the violent clashes in the Galwan Valley in June 2020. This incident, which resulted in casualties on both sides, led to a significant deterioration in diplomatic ties and a freeze on direct air travel. For nearly five years, travellers between the two countries have had to rely on costly and time-consuming indirect routes via third-country hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, or Bangkok.

Airlines Prepare for Relaunch and New Routes

The resumption of flights will align with the upcoming winter season schedule. IndiGo, India's largest carrier, has announced that it will be among the first to restart services, with daily non-stop flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou commencing on October 26, 2025. IndiGo also plans to introduce direct flights between Delhi and Guangzhou shortly thereafter, pending regulatory approvals. Additionally, sources indicate that Air India is expected to resume its services to Chinese destinations, such as the Delhi-Shanghai route, by the end of 2025. Before the suspension, several carriers, including Air India, IndiGo, Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern, operated numerous weekly flights connecting major cities in both countries.

Diplomatic Efforts Pave the Way for Normalisation

The decision to restore air connectivity is a result of ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions and fostering greater interaction. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the agreement would 'further facilitate people-to-people contact between India and China, contributing towards the gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges.' This development follows the Indian government's earlier announcement in July 2025 regarding the resumption of tourist visas for Chinese nationals. Recent high-level engagements, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China last month for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where he met with President Xi Jinping, have also played a crucial role in this diplomatic thaw. Furthermore, an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in October 2024 had previously signaled a step towards military disengagement.