After five years of grounded skies and diplomatic frost, India and China are preparing to resume direct commercial flights, marking a pivotal moment in the evolving relationship between the two Asian giants. The announcement, made jointly by both governments, comes as part of a broader effort to restore ties strained by the COVID-19 pandemic and a deadly border clash in 2020.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, a new direct air services agreement was finalized on October 2, 2025, clearing the way for designated carriers from both countries to operate direct flights between agreed-upon cities. The arrangement is set to take effect with the winter season schedule, beginning in late October. For travelers and businesses alike, this signals the end of a frustrating era of long layovers in third countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, or Bangkok—a workaround that had become the norm since early 2020.
IndiGo, India’s largest budget airline, is leading the charge. The carrier announced it will relaunch daily nonstop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou starting October 26, 2025, using its A320neo fleet, pending final regulatory clearances. The move is expected to be followed by other routes, including a possible Delhi–Guangzhou service, though these remain contingent on further bilateral approvals. On the Chinese side, major carriers such as Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern are reportedly preparing to file for Indian slots, but have yet to reveal specific schedules or routes.
The suspension of direct flights in 2020 was initially attributed to COVID-19 disruptions. However, the hiatus lingered well beyond the pandemic’s peak, exacerbated by the fallout from the deadly Galwan Valley clash along the contested India–China border. That incident, which claimed the lives of 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers, plunged diplomatic relations into a deep freeze. For more than five years, travelers between the two countries faced longer, costlier journeys as they transited through other Asian hubs—a situation that stymied not only tourism but also business, student exchanges, and trade.
But 2025 has brought a thaw. Technical-level aviation talks between New Delhi and Beijing resumed, culminating in the revised Air Services Agreement. In its official statement, the Indian Foreign Ministry emphasized that the agreement allows direct air services connecting designated points, subject to the commercial decisions of airlines and the fulfillment of operational requirements. As reported by Outlook Traveller, the restart is closely tied to the rollout of India’s winter aviation schedule, with all eyes on how smoothly both sides can coordinate the logistics of such a complex undertaking.
The resumption of flights is more than just an aviation story—it’s a diplomatic, economic, and symbolic milestone. According to the Indian Foreign Ministry, the move complements broader efforts by both nations to re-engage across trade, border management, and regional frameworks. During his September 2025 visit to China, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the importance of development partnership over rivalry, signaling a new chapter in bilateral engagement. "Our relationship got a positive direction. There is peace and stability on the borders," Modi stated during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, as reported by Outlook Traveller.
This diplomatic warming didn’t happen overnight. The process began in earnest after a meeting between Modi and Xi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. Since then, both sides have agreed on several confidence-building measures: improved border management, the resumption of direct flight connectivity “at the earliest,” and the reopening of border trade. In July 2025, India took the significant step of resuming tourist visas for Chinese citizens after a five-year pause—another clear signal of intent to normalize relations.
For the thousands of students, business travelers, and tourists who move between India and China each year, the return of direct flights is a welcome relief. As Outlook Traveller notes, the new arrangement will make travel faster and more affordable, eliminating the need for circuitous routes and lengthy layovers. This is expected to boost people-to-people exchanges and facilitate smoother business operations. China remains one of India’s top trading partners, and easier air connectivity could further stimulate bilateral commerce at a time when both economies are seeking new growth engines.
Yet, the agreement is not without its caveats. Both governments have left room for commercial discretion and operational judgment, acknowledging that the execution of the plan depends on airline readiness, regulatory permissions, slot allocations, and mutual coordination. Civil aviation sources caution that geopolitical tensions or bureaucratic hurdles could still disrupt operations or force a scaling back of services. As Outlook Traveller points out, "Risk of rollback: Geopolitical tensions, border flare-ups or bureaucratic impasses could derail operations or force scaling back."
There’s also a regional dimension to the move. By resuming direct flights and re-engaging diplomatically, India and China are sending a message that they intend to recalibrate their relationship on their own terms, independent of external influence. Some analysts interpret this as a strategic signal to other powers in Asia that the two neighbors are capable of managing their differences and advancing mutual interests without third-party mediation.
On the ground, the immediate impact will be felt by travelers who, for years, have been inconvenienced by the lack of direct routes. Students who attend universities in China, businesspeople managing cross-border ventures, and families separated by the pandemic and diplomatic tensions now have reason to hope for easier reunions. The resumption of flights is also expected to benefit the tourism sector, which has suffered from the prolonged disconnect between the two populous nations.
Still, the road ahead is not without potential pitfalls. The agreement’s flexibility—while pragmatic—means that any sudden deterioration in border conditions or a resurgence of diplomatic disputes could once again close the skies. For now, though, the mood is one of cautious optimism, with both governments and airline executives eager to demonstrate that the new air bridge can withstand the vagaries of geopolitics.
As the first Kolkata–Guangzhou flights prepare for takeoff in late October, the world will be watching. If the relaunch proceeds smoothly, it could become one of the most visible symbols of détente between India and China—a tangible reminder that, even after years of tension and tragedy, dialogue and cooperation remain possible.
In the end, the resumption of direct flights isn’t just about convenience or commerce. It’s a litmus test for the broader relationship, offering a glimpse of what can be achieved when two of the world’s most populous countries choose engagement over estrangement. For now, the skies between India and China are set to open once more—carrying with them the hopes of millions on both sides.