India and China are set to restart direct flights between selected cities after a five-year break. The External Affairs Ministry announced the development on Thursday. Officials said the move will help gradually normalise relations between the two countries.
Background of the Suspension
Direct air services between India and China were suspended in 2020. The halt came during the Covid-19 pandemic and continued after border tensions between Indian and Chinese troops in April-May 2020. These tensions brought bilateral relations to a six-decade low. Both sides had stationed around 50,000 troops in the Ladakh sector along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Flights were stopped even after partial disengagement at friction points like Demchok and Depsang last October. Before the suspension, Air India, IndiGo, Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern operated non-stop flights between the two countries.
Resumption of Flights
The resumption of direct flights was discussed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. Civil aviation authorities from both countries have been holding technical talks since early 2025. These discussions included revising the air services agreement.
“Following these discussions, it has now been agreed that direct air services connecting designated points in India and China can resume by late October 2025, in keeping with the winter season schedule, subject to the commercial decision of the designated carriers from the two countries and fulfilment of all operational criteria,” the ministry said in a statement.
The agreement aims to “further facilitate people-to-people contact between India and China, contributing towards the gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges,” it added.
Indian Airlines to Operate Flights
People familiar with the matter said that Indian carrier IndiGo and China Eastern are expected to be the first airlines to resume direct flights. Direct flights were a key request from the Chinese side during recent negotiations. Beijing emphasised the importance of connectivity to boost economic ties.
IndiGo plans to start daily flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou from October 26. The airline also intends to introduce direct flights between Delhi and Guangzhou soon, subject to regulatory approval. These flights will use Airbus A320neo aircraft.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said, “We are proud to be amongst the first to resume direct connectivity to China from two points in India. This will once again allow seamless movement of people, goods, and ideas, while strengthening bilateral ties between the two of the world’s most populous countries and fast-growing economies.”
The Civil Aviation Ministry added that the resumption of flights would “greatly enhance air connectivity, support people-to-people exchanges and contribute to the strengthening of economic collaboration” between India and China.
Impact of Resumed Flights
The move will restore aviation ties between the world’s second and fourth largest economies. It is expected to support trade, tourism, and business travel. The resumption of direct flights marks a positive step in improving diplomatic and economic relations after years of tensions.
