By Thanesh Veeramutu
NEW DELHI, 28 August 2025: After a five-year hiatus, direct flights between India and China are set to resume, a significant development signaling a potential thaw in diplomatic relations. The suspension, which began in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was prolonged by geopolitical tensions, is now poised to end. This move is expected to not only ease travel for business, education, and tourism but also strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two Asian giants.
The decision was formalized during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent visit to New Delhi, where both nations agreed to restore air connectivity. This bilateral agreement is seen as a crucial step toward normalizing a relationship that has been strained by border disputes. The resumption of flights will facilitate easier movement for the tens of thousands of Indian students studying in China and will also provide a major boost to the tourism sectors in both countries.
Airlines from both sides are already preparing for the restart of services. Chinese carriers, including Air China and China Southern, have reportedly filed for slots at Indian airports, while Indian airlines like IndiGo and Air India are gearing up to relaunch routes to cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Before the suspension, these routes carried over a million passengers annually, underscoring the strong demand for direct travel.
The return of direct flights is also anticipated to accelerate trade and investment flows, as China is India’s second-largest trading partner. The resumption of connectivity is part of a broader effort to improve bilateral relations, which also includes simplifying visa processes and exploring updated air service agreements. This carefully managed step represents a hopeful path toward renewed cooperation and mutual benefit.
