India-China direct flights to resume by late Oct amid normalisation efforts

The MEA said that the agreement to resume flights will further facilitate people-to-people contact between India and China, contributing towards the gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday announced that direct air services between India and China are expected to resume by late October 2025. The decision follows technical-level discussions between the civil aviation authorities of both countries as part of efforts to gradually normalise bilateral relations, the ministry said.

 

"Following these discussions, it has now been agreed that direct air services connecting designated points in India and China can resume by late October 2025, in keeping with the winter season schedule, subject to commercial decision of the designated carriers from the two countries and fulfilment of all operational criteria," it added.

 

The ministry added that the agreement will further facilitate people-to-people contact between India and China, contributing towards the gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges.

 

The development stems from an agreement reached in August 2025 to restart direct flights and boost trade and investment flows, aimed at rebuilding ties strained by the 2020 border clash. Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where he met President Xi Jinping. During their talks, both leaders agreed to strengthen investment ties and work towards stabilising global trade.

 

The warming relations between New Delhi and Beijing also come against the backdrop of both nations facing heavy tariffs imposed by the United States (US).

 

IndiGo announces flights

Soon after the MEA announcement, low-cost carrier IndiGo said that it will resume its daily non-stop flight from Kolkata to Guangzhou from October 26.

 

"Subject to regulatory approvals, IndiGo will also introduce direct flights between Delhi and Guangzhou shortly. IndiGo will use its Airbus A320neo aircraft to operate these flights that will re-establish avenues for cross-border trade and strategic business partnerships and promote tourism between the two nations," the airline said.