India, China Could Resume Direct Flights Next Month after 5-Year Hiatus
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India and China are preparing to restart direct passenger flights—potentially as early as next month (September 2025)—after nearly five years of suspension caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. During this hiatus, travelers were forced to take indirect routes via hubs such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and others.
According to reports citing sources familiar with the matter, Indian airlines—namely Air India and IndiGo—have been instructed to prepare for the swift resumption of services to China. The announcement is expected to coincide with the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, scheduled for late August in China, which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to attend.
This move is seen as part of a broader effort to reset diplomatic and economic ties between the two most populous nations, amid global shifts—including U.S. tariff tensions—that are influencing regional alignments.
Historically, both Indian carriers (Air India, IndiGo) and Chinese airlines (Air China, China Southern, China Eastern) operated several direct routes before disruptions began in early 2020.
Beyond restoring air connectivity, this development reflects improving people-to-people and diplomatic exchanges. Earlier this summer, India resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens—another indication of normalizing relations after years of restrictions following the 2020 border clashes.
While no official confirmation has been issued yet, developments point to September 2025 as the likely starting point for direct flights—a welcome convenience for travelers and a potential boon for trade, tourism, and cooperation between the two nations.
