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

Direct Flights Set to Resume by Late October 2025

After a five-year suspension, India and China are poised to resume direct commercial flights by late October 2025. This significant development marks a step towards normalizing bilateral ties and is expected to enhance trade, tourism, and people-to-people connectivity between the world's two most populous countries. The suspension, initially imposed in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was prolonged by diplomatic tensions, particularly following the 2020 Galwan Valley border clash.

Background to the Suspension and Resumption

Direct air services between India and China were halted in early 2020 as a measure against the spread of COVID-19. However, the hiatus extended beyond the pandemic's initial impact due to escalating geopolitical tensions, including the deadly border confrontation in the Himalayan mountains in June 2020, which resulted in casualties on both sides. This led to a freezing of high-level political engagements and a significant downturn in bilateral relations. Travelers between the two nations have since been forced to use indirect routes via third countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore, or Bangkok, leading to increased travel time and costs.

The decision to resume flights follows renewed diplomatic efforts and technical-level aviation discussions that began in 2025. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that 'direct air services connecting designated points in India and China can resume by late October 2025, subject to the commercial decision of the designated carriers … and fulfilment of all operational criteria.' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun also confirmed the resumption, stating it reflects the 'important consensus reached' between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting in Tianjin in August.

Airlines and Routes

Indian carrier IndiGo has emerged as a frontrunner, announcing plans to relaunch daily non-stop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou starting October 26, 2025, utilizing Airbus A320neo aircraft. IndiGo also intends to introduce direct flights between New Delhi and Guangzhou, pending regulatory approvals. Additionally, Air India, another major Indian carrier, aims to resume non-stop flights between Delhi and Shanghai before the end of the year.

On the Chinese side, airlines such as Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines are expected to apply for routes to Indian cities, though their specific schedules are yet to be disclosed. Before the pandemic, these Chinese carriers held a dominant share of the direct flight market between the two countries.

Implications for Bilateral Relations and Travel

The resumption of direct flights is viewed as a crucial step in the 'gradual normalization of relations' between India and China. It is expected to significantly boost people-to-people exchanges and facilitate economic cooperation. The move comes after India lifted restrictions on tourist visas for Chinese nationals earlier this year, further indicating a thawing of relations. Analysts suggest that this restart will not only reduce travel burdens for individuals but also reshape the Asian aviation market, with both Indian and Chinese airlines looking to reclaim and expand their share of passenger traffic.