India and China Set to Resume Direct Flights from Late October After Five-Year Hiatus

India and China are set to resume direct flight services later this month, marking the end of a five-year suspension that began in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was further prolonged by tensions along the eastern Ladakh border. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that direct flights connecting designated points in both countries can restart by late October, contingent upon the commercial decisions of the airlines and the fulfillment of all operational and regulatory requirements. This step reflects ongoing efforts by both nations to restore normalcy in civil aviation and facilitate travel and trade between the two Asian giants.

The suspension of direct flights since 2020 significantly affected passenger traffic and the aviation industry. With no direct connectivity between India and mainland China, travelers were forced to rely on connecting flights through hubs in South and Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. This indirect routing not only increased travel time and costs but also caused Indian and Chinese airlines to lose potential passenger loads. Currently, passenger traffic between the two countries is less than half of what it was in 2019. Hong Kong has remained the primary connecting hub for travelers between India and mainland China, despite its distinct visa regime and autonomous status.

Earlier this year, civil aviation authorities from India and China held technical-level discussions to review the resumption of direct flights and to revise the existing air services agreement. These discussions were aimed at creating a structured framework for safe, efficient, and commercially viable operations. IndiGo, India’s prominent airline, has announced it will resume daily, non-stop flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou beginning October 26. Pending regulatory approvals, the airline also plans to launch direct services between Delhi and Guangzhou in the near future. This resumption of services will enhance connectivity for business, tourism, and cultural exchanges between the two nations.

The issue of resuming direct flights and normalizing visa issuance has been a key demand from China over the past few years. These topics were prominently discussed during Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Beijing in January, where both countries agreed “in principle” to restart direct flights. Subsequent months saw continued discussions between foreign and aviation ministers from both nations, emphasizing the strategic and economic importance of restoring air connectivity. During Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Delhi in August, both sides agreed to resume direct flight connectivity at the earliest possible date.

The absence of direct flights, combined with stringent visa restrictions, had created significant operational challenges for airlines from both countries. Many carriers lost potential revenue as passengers opted for flights through alternative Southeast Asian hubs. By resuming direct air connectivity, India and China aim to recapture lost passenger traffic, enhance economic exchanges, and simplify travel logistics for tourists, business travelers, and diplomats.

In summary, the resumption of direct flights between India and China represents a significant milestone in bilateral relations. It will facilitate smoother travel, strengthen economic and cultural ties, and address long-standing concerns over limited connectivity and visa restrictions. The move also underscores the importance both countries place on aviation as a tool for diplomacy, commerce, and people-to-people exchanges. Airlines such as IndiGo are preparing to capitalize on the renewed demand, ensuring efficient, daily non-stop services between key cities. With regulatory approvals pending, this development promises to reshape air travel dynamics in the region and restore a vital link that has been dormant for five years.