As per the outcome of the talks, direct flights between designated points in India and China will be permitted to resume in line with the winter schedule, subject to commercial discretion of designated carriers and the fulfilment of operational requirements.
“Direct air services connecting designated points in India and China can resume by late October 2025, subject to commercial decisions of carriers and fulfilment of operational requirements,” the MEA said. It added that the move would “further facilitate people-to-people contact and contribute to the gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges.”
India and China will resume direct air services by the end of October 2025, aligning with the winter schedule.
This follows continuous technical-level engagement between civil aviation authorities as part of broader efforts to normalize bilateral ties.
The move will greatly…
— MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) October 2, 2025
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In line with the agreement, IndiGo announced that it would resume services to China. Beginning October 26, 2025, the airline will operate daily non-stop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou. Subject to regulatory approvals, the airline will launch direct services between Delhi and Guangzhou. Bookings for flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou will commence on October 3.
Air connectivity between the two countries was suspended in early 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and further derailed after the Galwan Valley border clash. Since then, travellers and cargo have relied on third-country hubs such as Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong, significantly increasing costs and transit times.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hinted at the development on August 30, a day before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, saying that both sides agreed to restart flights as ties showed signs of easing. “We are reopening one of Asia’s most important economic corridors,” he said, stressing benefits for businesses, students and families.
Before the suspension, passenger traffic between India and China was significant. In FY2019, over 8.1 lakh passengers travelled between the two nations, with carriers such as Air India, IndiGo, China Eastern and Air China operating frequent routes. Cargo flows were also substantial, with nearly 30,000 tonnes shipped annually, more than the India–US volume.
