India, China to resume direct flights from October 26

After a five-year gap, India and China have agreed to resume direct air services between designated points from October 26, the Ministry of External Affairs and civil aviation officials said on Thursday, marking a major step toward normalising ties between the two neighbours.

Civil aviation authorities of both countries have been holding technical-level talks since early this year on restarting scheduled passenger services and revising the existing Air Services Agreement.

While IndiGo Airlines has announced it would resume services to mainland China, operating daily non-stop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou (CAN) from October 26, subject to regulatory approvals, top aviation sources told The Tribune that Air India is also planning to start its flight operations by month-end.

The Indigo said it would deploy Airbus A320neo aircraft on the route and open bookings from October 3 on its website. The carrier also indicated plans to introduce direct services between Delhi and Guangzhou shortly, once approvals and operational arrangements are finalised.

The recent breakthrough paves the way for flights to operate in line with the upcoming winter schedule, officials said, though the move remains subject to commercial decisions by designated carriers and fulfilment of operational and regulatory criteria.

The resumption of services was also discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin, where both leaders underscored the need to strengthen people-to-people ties through direct flights and visa facilitation.

The leaders, meeting on the sidelines of the SCO summit, reiterated that the two countries are “development partners” and that “differences should not be allowed to become disputes”, the MEA readout of August 31 said.

Officials emphasised that the restart would be gradual and carefully managed. Carriers on both sides must complete commercial planning and satisfy safety, security and slot requirements before services begin.

“Resuming direct connectivity will enhance air links, support people-to-people exchanges and contribute to deeper economic collaboration,” a civil aviation official said.

The decision is expected to ease travel for businesspersons, students and families, while boosting trade and tourism. Direct passenger flights between India and China were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic and did not resume after bilateral ties deteriorated following the 2020 border clashes.

The thaw in relations gained momentum after PM Modi’s recent visit to China for the SCO summit. Officials say the flight resumption is part of a measured diplomatic outreach that includes restoration of cross-border contacts such as the Kailash-Manasarovar yatra and revival of tourist visa channels.

Industry analysts said the return of direct flights — even if phased and limited at first — will have meaningful economic and social impact, restoring a channel of engagement that supports commerce, education and family ties between the two countries.