India and China will resume direct flights later this month for the first time in five years, following a suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating border tensions. The long-awaited announcement comes after extensive discussions between the two countries’ civil aviation authorities.
Direct air travel between the two nations was halted in 2020 as the pandemic spread, and despite the global recovery, the flights remained suspended as tensions along the disputed border remained high. However, the diplomatic climate between India and China has improved in recent months, with key talks held between leaders in China this August and in Kazan, Russia, the previous year.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Indian government confirmed that direct flights between designated cities in both countries would begin in late October. The resumption of these air links is expected to foster stronger people-to-people connections and contribute to the gradual normalization of relations between India and China.
IndiGo, India’s largest airline, announced it would begin daily direct flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou on October 26, with plans to expand to New Delhi in the future. Bookings for these flights opened on Friday, and the airline emphasized the role of the direct connections in boosting trade, business partnerships, and tourism between the two nations.
The decision to restart direct flights was made after both countries agreed to prioritize discussions on their shared border issues and enhance bilateral trade. This move follows a period of intense military standoffs between the two nations, which escalated in 2020 when clashes along the Himalayan border led to the deaths of soldiers from both sides.
Since the border violence, China has also granted permission for Indian pilgrims to visit the holy site of Mount Kailash in Tibet, marking a significant step in restoring some aspects of bilateral cooperation. The resumption of flights is seen as another positive development in the ongoing efforts to mend ties between the two Asian giants.
