Key Developments
- Flights Resume in October 2025: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and civil aviation authorities confirmed that direct air services will restart by late October 2025/b>, aligning with the winter schedule.
IndiGo Leads the Way:
- Starting October 26, 2025, IndiGo will launch daily, non-stop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou (CAN).
- The airline has also announced plans for a Delhi–Guangzhou route, subject to regulatory approvals.
- Ticket sales for the Kolkata–Guangzhou service open on Friday, October 3, 2025.
Other Carriers Join In:
- Air India is preparing to operate flights between Delhi and Shanghai before the year ends, pending final clearances.
- Chinese airlines, including Air China and China Southern Airlines, have expressed interest in resuming operations from Delhi.
Why This Matters
The return of direct passenger flights is a major milestone in normalizing relations between India and China. The suspension, which began in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent border tensions, significantly reduced travel, trade, and tourism.
Resuming flights is expected to:
- Increase business and trade exchanges between the two countries
- Boost tourism and cultural connections.
- Provide more seamless travel for students, professionals, and families.
Visa Facilitation Talks
Alongside flight resumptions, both governments have also discussed easing visa restrictions for Chinese travelers, including tourists, business delegates, and media professionals—another step toward improving connectivity.