India and China Agree to Resume Direct Flights After Five-Year Break

Good news for travellers heading to China: India’s Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that both countries have agreed to restart direct flights after more than five years of suspension.

According to the statement, both governments stated that they aim to restore direct air travel “at the earliest” and are also working on updating their Air Services Agreement.

The goal is to make it easier for tourists, business travellers, media, and others to get visas and move between the two countries.

Why Were India-China Flights Suspended?

It is worth noting that direct flights between India and mainland China ceased in early 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic emerged. But even after pandemic restrictions eased, air links remained frozen due to strained diplomatic ties.

Notably, Attempts were made to restart direct flights in January and June this year, but they didn’t go through.

Timing and the Bigger Picture

The timing for the restart hasn’t been confirmed yet, but progress is moving quickly. According to officials, Indian airlines like Air India and IndiGo have been briefed on the upcoming resumption. So far, neither airline has made a public announcement.

The push to reopen skies comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin on August 31, where he is likely to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Which Airlines Were Flying Before 2020?

Before the suspension, Air India and IndiGo used to operate direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Chinese cities such as Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Similarly, Chinese carriers, including Air China and China Southern, also flew routes connecting Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou to Delhi.

Airline	Route Examples
Air India	Delhi – Shanghai, Delhi – Beijing
IndiGo	Delhi – Guangzhou
Air China	Beijing – Delhi, Chengdu – Mumbai
China Southern	Guangzhou – Delhi, Guangzhou – Mumbai

How People Are Travelling Without Direct Flights

With no direct routes, most Indian travellers to China, mainly students, businesspeople, and professionals, fly via Southeast Asia or the Middle East. Chinese travellers to India face the same hassle, often relying on long, multi-stop flights.

India Reopens Tourist Visas for Chinese Nationals

Starting July 24, 2025, Chinese citizens can apply for Indian tourist visas again, ending a five-year freeze that followed strained diplomatic ties. The announcement came from the Indian Embassy in Beijing.

China’s New K Visa Targets Tech Talent

Starting October 1, China will launch a new K visa for young science and tech professionals, part of its broader push to attract talent and improve ties with countries like India.

Why This Matters for Travellers

• Faster travel: No more long stopovers in third countries.
• Lower costs: Direct flights usually mean cheaper overall fares.
• Easier visa access: Both sides have agreed to improve visa processing.

Final Thought

If talks continue to go well, direct India-China flights could be back on track within weeks. For students, professionals, families, and tourists, this would finally make cross-border travel much easier, without the detours.