After more than five years, direct air connectivity between India and China has officially resumed. The announcement came on Sunday from Yu Jing, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India, who confirmed the development on X, stating, “Direct flights between China and India are now a reality.”

The first flight of the renewed route took off from Kolkata to Guangzhou, marking the formal restoration of passenger travel between the two nations. Another key route—Shanghai to New Delhi—is scheduled to commence on November 9, operating three times a week.

Earlier this month, IndiGo had revealed that it would be among the first airlines to re-establish flights between the two countries, which had been grounded since early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In a statement dated October 2, 2025, the airline announced plans to operate daily non-stop flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou beginning October 26, using its Airbus A320neo fleet.

The carrier also outlined future expansion plans to include a Delhi–Guangzhou service, pending final regulatory clearance. These plans were later confirmed, with IndiGo announcing on October 11 that the Delhi–Guangzhou direct route would launch on November 10, offering daily services.

Aviation experts say the revival of these flight routes will significantly boost trade, tourism, and business exchanges between the two Asian economic powerhouses—sectors that had faced setbacks in recent years.

Air travel between India and China was suspended in early 2020, following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and further strained by the June 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which severely impacted diplomatic and economic ties.

However, relations began to thaw in late 2024, after both countries reached a mutual understanding on patrol arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)—a move widely viewed as a breakthrough in restoring trust and stability in the region.

The resumption of direct flights now signals a gradual normalization of bilateral relations, with optimism for deeper people-to-people and commercial engagement.