US EditionIndia and China resume direct flights after five-year hiatus
Direct flights between India and China resumed after five years, restoring over 500 monthly services suspended during the pandemic to boost trade, tourism, and people-to-people ties.
- Direct air services between India and China will resume on 26 October after more than five years, with IndiGo set to restart flights connecting Kolkata and Guangzhou.
- China Eastern Airlines will resume flights between Shanghai and Delhi from 9 November, operating three flights a week using an A330-200 aircraft.
- The revival of air links will significantly improve commercial engagement between eastern India and southern China, particularly in sectors like textiles, electronics, and small-scale manufacturing, and promote tourism between the two countries.
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147 Articles
‘Smooth and easy’: India, China resume direct flights as ties improve
By Peter Catterall in Guangzhou Passengers of the first direct flight between India and China in five years touched down on Monday, after Asia’s giants lifted a long-term air travel suspension as they cautiously rebuild relations. Passengers queue to check in for a direct flight from Guangzhou to Kolkata at the international airport in Guangzhou on October 27, 2025. Photo: Peter Catterall/AFP. IndiGo flight 6E1703 from Kolkata touched down in th…
China and India resume direct flights after five-year hiatus
Direct flights have resumed between China and India after a five-year hiatus.IndiGo flight 6E1703 from Kolkata touched down in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou shortly before 4:00am on Monday (20:00 GMT on Sunday), carrying about 180 passengers. The flight is the latest sign that the world’s two most populous nations are cautiously rebuilding relations after several years of diplomatic cooling.
Direct flights between India and China have resumed for the first time in five years, another sign of warming relations between the two countries.
After more than five years of suspension, direct flights between India and mainland China resumed, marking a key step for bilateral trade and relaxation Direct flights between India
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