**India, China to Resume Direct Flights After 5-Year Suspension**

*By Mudit Dube | Oct 03, 2025, 05:05 PM*

India and China are set to resume direct flight services later this month, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced. This move marks the end of a suspension that began in 2020, triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and tensions along the eastern Ladakh border.

The MEA confirmed that direct air services connecting designated points in both countries can resume by late October, signaling a positive step toward restoring connectivity between the two nations.

**Airline Response**

Indian budget airline IndiGo, the largest in the country, has announced plans to restart direct flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou from October 26. The airline will operate daily non-stop services on this route to cater to rising demand.

Subject to regulatory approvals, IndiGo also plans to launch direct flights between Delhi and Guangzhou in the near future, further strengthening air connectivity between India and China.

**Diplomatic Efforts**

The resumption of direct flights is widely seen as a significant move to normalize bilateral relations. According to the MEA, restoring these air links will “further facilitate people-to-people contact” between India and China and contribute to the “gradual normalization of bilateral exchanges.”

This development reflects ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions and promoting cooperation between the two neighboring countries.

**Impact on Passenger Traffic**

The suspension of direct flights, coupled with stringent visa restrictions, had adversely affected passenger traffic between India and China. Airlines from both countries faced a loss of potential passenger loads, many of which shifted to carriers from Southeast Asian nations.

With the resumption of direct flights, this trend is expected to reverse. Currently, India-China passenger traffic, which relies on connecting hubs in South and Southeast Asia, operates at less than half of its 2019 levels. Renewed direct connectivity is anticipated to boost travel and facilitate smoother movement between the two countries.

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The restoration of direct air links marks a hopeful chapter in India-China relations, benefiting travelers, airlines, and bilateral cooperation alike.
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