India–China Direct Flights Resume: A New Chapter in Skies and Diplomacy

A Long-Awaited Takeoff

After five years of silence in the skies, the engines are roaring once again. India and China — two ancient civilizations, economic powerhouses, and geopolitical neighbours — have finally agreed to resume direct passenger flights, marking a long-anticipated moment in the post-pandemic, post-tension era of their relationship.

It’s not just an aviation story. It’s a story about diplomacy, economics, families, and hope — stitched together by wings and runways.

Why It Matters: Beyond the Flight Schedule

In our globalized world, flights are not just transport — they are bridges. For years, direct flights between India and China offered ease to students, businesspeople, tourists, and even pilgrims heading to sacred destinations like Mount Kailash. Then came COVID-19, followed by border tensions, and suddenly, that connection was gone.

Since March 2020, those travelling between the two countries have had to transit through third countries — often taking 14 to 24 hours for journeys that should’ve lasted 5 to 6. Costs skyrocketed. Many gave up travel altogether.

Today, as direct flights return, there is a tangible sense of relief — and opportunity.

What’s Resuming — and When?

The first flights will take off in late October 2025, starting with routes approved by both governments under the updated Air Services Agreement. Leading the way is IndiGo Airlines, which has officially announced:

• Kolkata → Guangzhou: Daily non-stop service starting October 26, 2025

• Delhi → Guangzhou: In the pipeline, pending final approvals

These routes were carefully selected for their economic and regional significance. Kolkata, for instance, has historical trade ties with southern China, while Delhi’s inclusion ensures national-level connectivity.

Other airlines — both Indian and Chinese — are expected to follow suit, possibly opening routes to Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Kunming, and beyond over the next few months.

Why Flights Were Suspended for So Long

To understand the weight of this moment, we need to revisit why the skies closed.

1. COVID-19 Pandemic

Like many countries, India and China suspended international passenger flights in 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, while other bilateral air routes resumed gradually, India–China remained frozen.

2. Border Conflict

The pause wasn’t just about public health. In June 2020, a deadly border clash in the Galwan Valley strained diplomatic ties deeply. With 20 Indian soldiers and multiple Chinese troops killed, India made it clear: normalisation of ties, including flights, would depend on peace at the borders.

For five years, India held firm. No flights. No backdoor normalisation. Only when dialogue improved, and both sides engaged in disengagement talks, did the skies begin to open again.

Who Benefits From This Decision?

This isn’t just a win for governments. The ripple effect touches many lives:

Students & Scholars

Thousands of Indian students study medicine and other disciplines in Chinese universities. They’ve struggled for years with costly, multi-stop journeys. Now, they can fly direct and focus on what matters: their education.

Tourists & Travellers

From the Great Wall to the Taj Mahal, from the backwaters of Kerala to the skyline of Shanghai — travellers on both sides once enjoyed exploring each other’s worlds. The return of flights makes that possible again, with lower fares and shorter journeys.

Business Community

India–China trade crossed $136 billion in 2024. Yet, oddly, there were no direct flights between two of Asia’s largest trading partners. Now, CEOs, buyers, supply chain experts, and small business owners can resume business trips with ease.

Pilgrims

The reopening of routes may also rekindle interest in the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a spiritual journey for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. For years, the route through China was suspended. With dialogue improving and flights resuming, this may be on the horizon again.

What’s Next?

The MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) has clarified that this is a phased resumption. Flights are not coming back all at once — they are being carefully rolled out, starting with a few cities and expanding based on demand, readiness, and diplomatic comfort.

Future developments may include:

• More cities on both sides joining the network

• Charter flights for pilgrimage or academic exchanges

• Reintroduction of business travel agreements

• Joint tourism promotions (e.g., Buddhist heritage tours)

Both governments are treading cautiously, ensuring that safety, sovereignty, and stability remain at the core of this restart.

Voices on the Ground

“It’s not just about flying again. It’s about feeling welcome again.”

— Ritika Sharma, MBA student heading to Shanghai

“This is great news. For three years, my clients in China had to meet over Zoom. Now, I can finally fly in, shake hands, and close deals.”

— Amit Patel, garments exporter, Surat

“This marks a pragmatic shift. We may not be friends, but we are neighbours. Better to talk, trade, and travel than remain stuck.”

— Dr. Meiyang Zhao, policy analyst, Beijing

FAQs – India–China Flights Resumption

Q1. When exactly are flights resuming?

A: The first direct flight from Kolkata to Guangzhou is scheduled for October 26, 2025, operated by IndiGo.

Q2. What routes are available right now?

A: Only Kolkata–Guangzhou is confirmed. Delhi–Guangzhou is expected soon, and other routes may follow depending on airline readiness and bilateral agreements.

Q3. Can I book tickets already?

A: Yes, tickets for IndiGo’s Kolkata–Guangzhou route are expected to go live mid-October. Keep an eye on the airline’s website and travel portals.

Q4. What about visa processes?

A: India has resumed issuing visas to Chinese nationals and vice versa. However, always check with the official consulate or embassy for the latest rules before booking.

Q5. Are COVID protocols still in place?

A: Both countries have relaxed pandemic-era restrictions. No quarantine is required unless symptomatic. Masks are optional but recommended during travel.

Q6. Will this affect border negotiations or political issues?

A: Not directly. Officials have stated that while flights will aid people-to-people contact, border issues remain unresolved and will be handled separately through diplomatic channels.

A Sign of Change — Or Just Convenience?

Skeptics might ask: is this just a convenience move, or a sign of improving ties?

The truth lies somewhere in between. While strategic mistrust persists — especially over borders and alliances — the reopening of direct flights is a gesture of goodwill. It says, “We may not agree on everything, but let’s keep talking. Let’s keep moving.”

Flights create momentum. Movement creates opportunities. And opportunities — if handled wisely — can reshape even the most strained relationships.

Final Thoughts: The Sky’s Not the Limit, It’s the Beginning

As the first plane takes off later this month, its significance will go far beyond travel. It symbolizes a new chapter, however cautious, in India–China ties. One where dialogue is preferred over distance, and where citizens of both countries can once again meet, learn, trade, and travel freely.

In the end, it’s about restoring a simple but powerful thing: connection.

The world needs more of that — and fewer walls in the sky.

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