India and China will restart direct air services by late October 2025, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. This agreement follows technical discussions between the aviation authorities of the countries with the aim to normalise relations.
“It has now been agreed that direct air services connecting designated points in India and China can resume by late October 2025, in keeping with the winter season schedule, subject to the commercial decision of the designated carriers from the two countries and fulfilment of all operational criteria,” the statement read.
MEA said that since the beginning of this year, as part of the Government’s efforts to gradually normalise India-China relations, the civil aviation authorities of both nations have held technical discussions on resuming direct air services and negotiating a new Air Services Agreement.
The civil aviation authorities’ agreement seeks to promote greater people-to-people contact between India and China, helping to gradually normalise bilateral exchanges.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed that direct flights between India and China will be resumed during discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The flights will be restarted after more than five years as both India and China aim to rebuild political ties amid growing trade uncertainties across the globe.
“An agreement has been reached between our Special Representatives regarding border management. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been resumed. Direct flights between the two countries are also being resumed,” ANI quoted PM Modi.
