Direct India-China Flights Set to Restart: Unlocking Billion-People Markets and Countless Possibilities

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India and China will restart direct passenger flights by late October 2025 after a five-year hiatus. The restoration is expected to drive robust business travel, increase tourism, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges, fostering economic growth and deeper bilateral ties amid ongoing diplomatic reset efforts.

India and China, Asia’s two largest economies, are set to resume direct passenger flights by the end of October 2025, signaling a major step in restoring cross-border connectivity after a five-year suspension triggered by geopolitical tensions and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Indian carrier IndiGo will lead the revival with daily flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou launching on October 26, with plans for Delhi-Guangzhou direct routes pending regulatory clearances. Chinese airlines including Air China and China Eastern are expected to soon announce return routes connecting major cities in both countries.

The resumption reflects progress made during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting in Tianjin in August 2025, where leaders Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi agreed on improving bilateral cooperation. This move is part of broader efforts to rebuild trade, cultural, and diplomatic engagement despite unresolved geopolitical challenges.

Notable Updates:

Direct flights between India and China were halted in early 2020 due to the pandemic and escalating border conflicts.

Pre-pandemic, over 8 lakh passengers flew annually, with 539 monthly flights connecting major cities.

The restart will significantly reduce travel time and costs, boosting business delegations and tourism.

Enhanced air connectivity supports sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, IT, and professional services.

People-to-people contact will deepen, including increased educational, cultural, and tourism exchanges.

Diplomatic agreements continue, including reopening border trade routes and regulatory cooperation.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs and China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly underscored the cooperation as a “pas de deux” symbolizing mutual commitment to lasting engagement.

This reestablished air link is expected to underpin rising bilateral trade, which reached $127.7 billion in FY24-25 despite tensions. Businesses anticipate smoother supply chains and expanded market access, creating opportunities especially in infrastructure, green tech, and manufacturing sectors.

Sources: India Briefing, The Indian Express, The Hindu Business Line, China Daily, Economic Times