India, China to Resume Direct Flights from 26 October After 5 Years; IndiGo to Start Daily Flight From Kolkata

India and China have agreed to resume direct passenger flights after a five-year suspension triggered by the Galwan Valley clashes and subsequent deterioration in relations. The first route will reopen on 26 October 2025, with IndiGo launching a daily non-stop service between Kolkata and Guangzhou, the airline confirmed on Thursday.

India, China to Resume Direct Flights from 26 October 2025

The announcement from IndiGo came shortly after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) revealed that the two countries had reached a consensus on restoring air connectivity, following months of technical-level discussions between their respective civil aviation authorities.

"Since earlier this year, as part of the Government's approach towards gradual normalisation of relations between India and China, the civil aviation authorities of the two countries have been engaged in technical-level discussions on resuming direct air services and on a revised Air Services Agreement," the MEA said in an official statement.

IndiGo Announced Direct Flights Between Kolkata and Guangzhou; Flights From Delhi Soon

IndiGo also announced plans to introduce direct flights between Delhi and Guangzhou in the near future. The flights will be operated using Airbus A320neo aircraft, aiming to boost not only tourism but also cross-border trade and business partnerships.

Air India Expected to Resume China Flights by Year-End

While IndiGo leads the commercial return to China, sources indicate that Air India is likely to resume its own services to Chinese destinations by the end of 2025, pending internal clearances and route planning. The national carrier had suspended operations during the Doklam standoff in 2017, and subsequent plans for resumption were derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The MEA noted that, subject to operational readiness and commercial considerations, designated airlines from both countries may now resume services connecting agreed-upon points as part of the winter schedule, starting late October.

"This agreement will further facilitate people-to-people contact between India and China, contributing to the gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges," the statement added.

Diplomatic Thaw Behind Renewed Connectivity

The decision to resume flights follows a year of cautious diplomatic engagement between the two Asian giants. Relations began to thaw in late 2024 with mutual troop disengagement at key flashpoints along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), including Depsang and Demchok. Since then, the two sides have held high-level military and diplomatic dialogues, expanded Track-II engagements, and begun lifting trade restrictions on selected goods.

The first formal announcement of the flight resumption was made last month, following Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to New Delhi, which was seen as a milestone in confidence-building efforts.