After a five-year hiatus, India and China have reached an agreement to resume direct air services by late October 2025. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the resumption of flights, which had been suspended in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Galwan clash in June 2020 further straining bilateral ties. Despite India resuming scheduled international flights to other countries in 2022, services to China remained suspended until now.

The decision to resume direct flights comes after sustained discussions between the civil aviation authorities of both countries and as part of the government's approach towards gradual normalization of relations between India and China. The agreement will facilitate people-to-people contact and contribute to the gradual normalization of bilateral exchanges.

IndiGo, India's largest airline, has announced that it will resume direct flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou (CAN) starting October 26, 2025. The airline will operate daily, non-stop flights using its Airbus A320neo aircraft. IndiGo also plans to introduce direct flights between Delhi and Guangzhou shortly. These flights are expected to re-establish avenues for cross-border trade and strategic business partnerships, as well as promote tourism between the two nations.

The resumption of direct flights will operate as per the winter schedule, subject to the commercial decisions of the designated carriers from both countries and the fulfillment of all operational criteria. This move is seen as a positive step towards normalizing relations between India and China following a period of tension. China is India's biggest bilateral trade partner, and the resumption of flights is expected to boost economic and people-to-people exchanges.