Direct air services between India and China are set to resume by late October 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday. The move comes after months of technical-level discussions between civil aviation authorities of both nations as part of New Delhi’s efforts to gradually normalise relations with Beijing.
“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,” the MEA said in an official statement.
The ministry added, “This agreement of the civil aviation authorities will further facilitate people-to-people contact between India and China, contributing towards the gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges.”
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India and China will resume direct air services by the end of October 2025, aligning with the winter schedule.
This follows continuous technical-level engagement between civil aviation authorities as part of broader efforts to normalize bilateral ties.
The move will greatly…
— MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) October 2, 2025
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IndiGo to spearhead services with Kolkata–Guangzhou route
Following the government announcement, IndiGo announced that it will restart services to Mainland China with a daily, non-stop flight connecting Kolkata to Guangzhou beginning October 26, 2025. The airline also plans to introduce direct flights between Delhi and Guangzhou in the near future.
Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, said, “We are delighted to announce the resumption of daily, non-stop flights between India and mainland China. We are proud to be amongst the first to resume direct connectivity to China from two points in India.”
Also Read:Â Security threat on Delhi-bound IndiGo flight, cleared for ops after check
Restoring trade, tourism and business links
IndiGo will deploy Airbus A320neo aircraft for the revived route, aiming to strengthen avenues for cross-border trade, tourism, and business partnerships. “The past experience and familiarity with local partners will enable IndiGo to resume these flights swiftly,” the airline noted in its release.
On social media, the Ministry of Civil Aviation stated, “India and China will resume direct air services by the end of October 2025, aligning with the winter schedule. This follows continuous technical-level engagement between civil aviation authorities as part of broader efforts to normalize bilateral ties. The move will greatly enhance air connectivity, support people-to-people exchanges and contribute to the strengthening of economic collaboration between the two countries.”
Elbers said the step will have a broader impact on bilateral relations. “This will once again allow seamless movement of people, goods, and ideas, while also strengthening bilateral ties between the two of the world’s most populous countries and fast-growing economies. With this very important step, we are looking at introducing more direct flights into China,” he said. Ticket sales for the Kolkata–Guangzhou flights will open from Friday, October 3, 2025.
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