New Delhi/Tianjin, August 2025 — In a bid to normalise ties following years of strain, India and China are poised to restart direct passenger flights as early as next month, possibly September. The formal announcement is expected to be made during the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit at the end of August, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate.
The Road to Reconnection
Direct air connectivity between India and China had been suspended since early 2020, initially due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later exacerbated by the border clashes at Galwan Valley, which claimed the lives of 20 Indian and several Chinese soldiers. Prior to the suspension, airlines like Air India, IndiGo, Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern operated multiple weekly flights linking major cities across both nations.
An initial agreement to resume direct flights was reached in principle in January 2025, with further momentum building in June. However, diplomatic hiccups caused delays in implementation. Only in recent weeks have preparations gained traction.
Airlines on Standby
Indian carriers Air India and IndiGo have been instructed to prepare for quick deployment of services, pending final approval from both governments. Sources say the Ministry of Civil Aviation has already reached out to airlines to get ready at short notice.
IndiGo’s CEO, Pieter Elbers, confirmed that the airline is “ready to resume these services as soon as bilateral arrangements between the two countries allow.” IndiGo was operating daily flights to Chinese cities such as Chengdu and Guangzhou before February 2020, and is now architecting plans to reestablish those routes.
Broader Diplomatic Thaw
This move is part of a broader recalibration of India–China relations. Since late 2024, both countries have progressively taken steps to de-escalate tensions—such as reaching agreements on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control and reopening the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage. India had also resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals in July.
Moreover, growing geopolitical tensions with the United States—particularly over tariffs imposed on Indian goods—appear to have nudged India and China closer, aligning their strategic interests and reinforcing the urgency to rebuild connectivity.
Why It Matters
For Travelers and Business: Direct flights significantly shorten travel time and reduce costs. Previously, travelers had to make indirect journeys via transit hubs like Hong Kong or Singapore.
Symbolic of Diplomacy: Restoring air links signals a warming of bilateral ties—a step toward restoring trust and boosting people-to-people, cultural, and economic exchanges.
Strategic Implications: Amid shifting global alliances, these flights could become a conduit for enhanced regional cooperation, trade resilience, and geopolitical recalibration.
What Lies Ahead
A formal confirmation is expected at the SCO Summit in Tianjin, scheduled for August 31 to September 1, where Prime Minister Modi may also meet President Xi Jinping. Pending final bilateral approvals, select Indian airlines could begin operations by September.
Summary Table
| Aspect |
Details |
| Resumption Timeline |
As early as September 2025 |
| Major Players |
Air India, IndiGo (prepared to start); Chinese carriers expected to reciprocate |
| Pending Approvals |
Final bilateral agreements still needed |
| Context |
Diplomatic thaw following LAC disengagement and SCO engagements |
| Impact |
Enhanced connectivity, trade, cultural exchange, diplomatic warming |
Summary
India and China are set to restart direct passenger flights as early as September 2025, ending a five-year suspension caused by COVID-19 and border tensions after the Galwan Valley clashes. A formal announcement is expected at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in late August.
Air India and IndiGo have been asked to prepare routes, while Chinese airlines are also expected to resume services. Before the suspension, carriers from both countries operated multiple weekly connections between major cities.
This move is part of a broader diplomatic thaw, with recent steps including de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control, reopening the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, and resuming Indian tourist visas for Chinese nationals.
