BUSINESS

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

Published: Oct. 3, 2025 5:19 p.m. GMT+8

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Travelers will be able to fly between certain cities by the end of October, New Delhi said. Photo: VCG

India and China will restart direct passenger flights by the end of October, ending a more than five-year hiatus, New Delhi said, as the two countries seek to rebuild ties amid mounting global trade uncertainties.

The services will run between certain cities and be in line with the winter season schedule, subject to the “commercial decision of the designated carriers from the two countries,” according to an announcement by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Thursday.

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India and China will resume direct passenger flights by the end of October 2024 after a five-year suspension.
Major carriers from both countries plan to restart routes, with IndiGo launching Kolkata-Guangzhou flights from Oct. 26.
The move follows diplomatic steps, including visa issuance and high-level meetings, aimed at normalizing bilateral relations.

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Who’s Who

IndiGo: IndiGo, India's largest carrier, announced it will restart daily non-stop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou starting October 26. The airline also plans to launch a Delhi to Guangzhou route, pending regulatory approvals. This move follows the resumption of direct passenger flights between India and China after a five-year hiatus.

Air China Ltd.: Air China Ltd. was mentioned as one of the Chinese carriers that have approached New Delhi Airport to resume direct flights between India and China. These direct passenger flights were suspended in early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a border clash. The resumption of flights marks a step towards normalizing relations between the two countries.

China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd.: China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd. is a Chinese carrier that has approached New Delhi Airport to resume direct flights between India and China. These direct passenger flights were suspended in early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a border clash. The resumption of these flights marks a gradual normalization of relations between the two countries.

China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd.: China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd. is one of the Chinese carriers that has approached New Delhi Airport to resume direct flights between India and China. These direct passenger flights were suspended in early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a border clash.

Shandong Airlines Co. Ltd.: Shandong Airlines Co. Ltd. is mentioned as one of the Chinese carriers that has approached New Delhi Airport to resume direct flights between India and China. These direct passenger flights are set to restart by the end of October, after a five-year hiatus.

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What Happened When

Early 2020：: Direct passenger flights between India and China were suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Summer 2020：: A deadly border clash in the Himalayas further soured diplomatic relations, ensuring the suspension of direct flights remained in place.

Earlier in 2025：: New Delhi began its approach towards gradual normalization of relations between India and China.

July 2025：: India began issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals again for the first time in five years.

August 2025：: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China for the first time in seven years to attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting, where he and President Xi Jinping discussed strengthening trade ties.

Thursday, October 2, 2025：: India's Ministry of External Affairs announced the restart of direct passenger flights between India and China by the end of October 2025.

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