India-China flights to resume after 5 years
The Indian government has given the green light to resume direct flights between India and China after a five-year hiatus, with IndiGo’s flights from Kolkata to the trading hub of Guangzhou set to take off from October 26.
“It has now been agreed that direct air services connecting designated points in India and China can resume by late October 2025, in keeping with the winter season schedule,” a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said, adding that the move will “further facilitate people-to-people contact between India and China, contributing towards the gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges.”
The statement was followed by IndiGo announcing daily flights between Guangzhou and Kolkata, adding that the trading city would be connected with New Delhi soon, “subject to regulatory approvals”. Tickets for flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou will open for sale from Friday (October 3). Industry sources said Air India too expects to start flights to Shanghai “before the end of the year”.
In July, the Indian government announced the resumption of tourist visas to Chinese nationals.
Direct flights between India and China have been suspended since March 2020, when India halted all international travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While restrictions eased gradually for many countries, flights to China remained suspended.
IndiGo’s flights start on the first day of the winter schedule, which begins on the last Sunday of October. The annual aviation timetable is divided into summer and winter schedules, allowing airlines to plan and adjust their flights accordingly. The summer schedule starts from the last Sunday in March.
Following the resumption of flights by Chinese carriers such as Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and Shandong Airlines, sources reported a delay in submitting their applications to the government. Air China is said to have sought permission to connect Beijing with Delhi and later Mumbai, according to one industry veteran.