India and China have agreed to restart direct flights on October 26, ending a suspension that lasted more than five years. The decision comes after months of technical‑level talks on an updated air services pact and reflects a push to normalize bilateral relations.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, both countries’ civil aviation authorities have been negotiating routes and operational rules. The agreement calls for flights between designated points, following the winter schedule, and is subject to airlines’ commercial decisions and regulatory clearances.
IndiGo is set to lead the resumption with daily non-stop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou using Airbus A320neo aircraft. Plans are also underway to launch Delhi–Guangzhou services, pending approvals. Meanwhile, Air India may restore its Delhi–Shanghai route by year-end.
The move is expected to boost people-to-people contact, trade, tourism, and business exchanges between the two nations. Restoring air connectivity could also lower travel times and logistical costs, especially for traders, students, and travelers. After years of disrupted ties, this step marks a cautious yet meaningful thaw in India‑China relations.
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