China and India Resume Direct Flights After Five-Year Hiatus

Direct Flights Reinstated

After a five-year suspension, China and India have agreed to resume direct flights, with services expected to restart by late October 2025. This development marks a significant step towards the gradual normalization of relations between the world's two most populous countries. The hiatus began in 2020, initially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was prolonged by heightened border tensions, including the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020.

Airlines and Key Routes

India's largest airline, IndiGo, has announced its plans to lead the resumption of services. Starting October 26, 2025, IndiGo will operate daily non-stop flights between Kolkata, India, and Guangzhou, China. Subject to regulatory approvals, IndiGo also intends to introduce direct flights connecting New Delhi and Guangzhou shortly thereafter. Additionally, Air India aims to restart non-stop flights between Delhi and Shanghai by the end of 2025. Prior to the suspension, direct flights constituted over 45% of all passenger traffic between India and China.

Context of Thawing Relations

The decision to reinstate direct air links follows a series of diplomatic engagements aimed at easing bilateral tensions. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that the resumption is part of the government's 'approach towards gradual normalization of relations between India and China'. Key events contributing to this thaw include:

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China in September 2025, his first in seven years, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.
• An agreement between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping that both nations should act as 'development partners, not rivals'.
• India's lifting of restrictions on tourist visas for Chinese nationals in July 2025.
• Discussions between the foreign ministers of both countries in August 2025, which included an agreement to restore direct flights.

Impact and Future Outlook

The resumption of flights is expected to significantly boost people-to-people exchanges, facilitate cross-border trade, foster strategic business partnerships, and promote tourism between the two nations. During the five-year hiatus, travelers between India and China were compelled to use connecting flights through hubs such as Hong Kong or Singapore. The re-establishment of direct routes is contingent upon the commercial decisions of designated carriers and the fulfillment of all operational criteria.