Direct flights between India and China have officially resumed after more than four years, marking a significant step in normalizing bilateral relations and boosting trade and tourism. The resumption comes after flights were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened border tensions. The first flight, operated by IndiGo, took off from Kolkata to Guangzhou on October 26, 2025.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India, Yu Jing, confirmed the development, stating on social media, "Direct flights between China and India are now a reality". The IndiGo flight carried 176 passengers and was celebrated with a ceremonial lamp lighting attended by a passenger, airport officials, and airline representatives.
Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong welcomed the resumption of direct flights, calling it a "very important day". He also noted on social media that the resumption would "speed up business, people-to-people exchanges". Addressing a seminar earlier in September, Xu Feihong emphasized the historical ties and shared sacrifices between China and India.
The airport Authority of India (AAI) has described the route's revival as a "milestone" for the nation's aviation sector. It is anticipated that the daily service will provide a major boost to business travelers, tourists, and the cargo sector, strengthening trade and cultural ties between Eastern India and Southern China.
Flights between the two countries were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent border tensions. Before 2020, there were approximately 500 direct flights per month between India and China, operated by airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, Air China, and China Southern.
IndiGo has announced plans to launch a daily direct flight between Delhi and Guangzhou starting November 10, 2025. China Eastern Airlines is also set to restart its Shanghai-Delhi route on November 9, and Air India is expected to follow suit with its own China flights before the end of the year. The Shanghai-New Delhi route will begin operations on November 9, with three flights every week.
The resumption of direct flights was also confirmed earlier in October by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Since the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, diplomatic and economic relations between New Delhi and Beijing have been tense. However, in October 2024, both sides reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), seen as a key step in easing tensions.
IndiGo had announced earlier in October that it would be among the first airlines to restart services between the two countries following the COVID-19 suspension. The airline said it would start daily, nonstop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou from October 26, 2025, using Airbus A320neo aircraft. IndiGo also mentioned plans to expand the service by introducing direct flights between Delhi and Guangzhou, subject to regulatory approvals.
