India, China will resume direct air services by end of October: Civil Aviation Ministry
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
India and China are set to restart direct flights by the end of October 2025, boosting travel and trade between the two nations. The Civil Aviation Ministry shared this update on Thursday, tying the move to the upcoming winter schedule.
This decision comes after months of technical talks between the aviation authorities of both countries. It’s part of wider efforts to warm up India-China relations, which have been strained in recent years. The ministry highlighted how these direct air services will improve connectivity, encourage more people-to-people interactions, and strengthen economic ties.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed in a recent press release that officials have agreed to resume flights linking key cities in India and China starting late October 2025. Airlines from both sides will handle the commercial details, as long as they meet all safety and operational standards.
These talks kicked off earlier this year as part of a government push to normalize bilateral relations. The MEA noted that resuming direct flights will make it easier for tourists, business travelers, media, and others to visit each other, fostering better exchanges.
The breakthrough traces back to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India in August. During meetings with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, the two sides pledged to revive direct flight connectivity as soon as possible and update their Air Services Agreement. They also committed to simplifying visas for visitors traveling both ways.
Direct flights between India and mainland China stopped after the 2017 Doklam standoff and the COVID-19 pandemic shut down global travel. Wang Yi’s trip included co-chairing the 24th round of Special Representatives talks on the India-China boundary issue with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. He also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who stressed that stable and predictable relations between the two countries would promote peace and prosperity in the region and beyond.
Prime Minister Modi recently attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit hosted by China, signaling ongoing diplomatic engagement.
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