India and China Resume Direct Flights After Five-Year

India and China have agreed to restart direct commercial flights, more than five years after services were suspended. Officials say flights could resume as early as late October 2025.

The move comes amid ongoing efforts to ease diplomatic and border tensions between the two Asian giants. Commercial air services were halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, compounded by geopolitical strains.

During his recent visit to Beijing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping emphasized a shared vision of India and China as development partners rather than adversaries. Their discussions spanned trade, border stability, and revitalizing people-to-people exchanges.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that civil aviation authorities from both countries have been engaged in technical-level talks to revise the Air Services Agreement and finalize flight routes. The agreement outlines that direct services will connect designated cities in India and China, contingent on airlines meeting operational criteria and regulatory requirements.

While officials target a late-October restart, the timeline depends on securing safety clearances, regulatory approvals, slot allocations, and airline readiness.

For business travelers, students, tourists, and families, the return of direct flights promises to eliminate cumbersome detours and ease visa-related challenges.

Beyond restoring connectivity, analysts view this move as a cautious thaw in bilateral tensions. It signals a broader diplomatic recalibration, with both nations seeking to manage competition while keeping channels of cooperation open.