Beijing and New Delhi have greenlit direct flight routes, easing travel bans stemming from the Ladakh standoff. The first IndiGo flight from Kolkata to Guangzhou touched down smoothly on Sunday night, marking the end of a five-year freeze on nonstop air links between the world’s two most populous nations. This move, announced earlier this month, signals a cautious thaw in ties strained by the 2020 Galwan Valley clash that killed 20 Indian soldiers and plunged relations to their lowest since the 1962 war.
The resumption comes hot on the heels of diplomatic wins, including troop pullbacks from key friction points in eastern Ladakh last October and a Modi-Xi meet at the BRICS summit in Kazan. “This is a positive step to boost people-to-people exchanges and stabilize our ties,” said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a briefing in New Delhi. On the Chinese side, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian echoed: “China views its relationship with India from a strategic and long-term perspective. The flights will help rebuild trust.”
For travelers tired of long layovers in Bangkok or Dubai, it’s a relief. Pre-2020, over 100 weekly flights buzzed between the two countries. Now, IndiGo kicks off with daily Kolkata-Guangzhou runs from October 26, followed by Delhi-Guangzhou on November 10. More airlines like Air India and Chinese carriers could join soon, pending commercial nods. At Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, excited passengers boarded the inaugural flight at 10 pm, greeted by banners reading “Welcome Back to the Skies.”
This isn’t just about seats and tickets. It’s a bridge over troubled waters, linking families, businesses, and tourists after years of detours. As one X user put it: “Finally, no more 20-hour hauls via Thailand! India-China skies open again – trade and vibes incoming.” But with borders still tense, experts warn it’s a start, not a full reset.
The Long Pause: From COVID Closures to Ladakh Shadows
Direct flights halted in March 2020 amid the COVID-19 lockdown, when borders slammed shut worldwide. For India and China, though, it wasn’t just a virus thing. The Galwan clash in June that year – a brutal hand-to-hand fight in the icy Himalayan heights – saw 20 Indian troops dead and an unknown number of Chinese casualties. What followed was a military buildup: nearly 50,000 soldiers each dug in along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, with tents, artillery, and high-altitude posts turning the region into a frozen standoff.
Air links stayed grounded even as global skies reopened. China pushed for flights as a goodwill gesture, but India held firm, linking it to border peace. “No normalcy without disengagement,” was the mantra from New Delhi. Talks dragged on – 21 rounds of corps commander meets, plus working-level huddles – until October 2024 brought a breakthrough: troops pulled back from Depsang and Demchok, the last hot spots.
The thaw picked up steam this year. In January, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s Beijing visit nodded to “in principle” flight restarts. August saw Chinese FM Wang Yi in Delhi, agreeing to ease visas for tourists and business folks. Then, at the SCO summit in August, Modi told Xi: “Direct flights are back on the table.” Civil aviation teams wrapped technical chats by early October, greenlighting routes for the winter schedule.
“It’s like reconnecting old friends after a family fight,” quipped travel agent Priya Singh from Kolkata, who saw her China tour bookings dry up post-2020. On X, excitement bubbled: “India-China flights resume! Time for dim sum in Guangzhou without the hassle. 🇮🇳✈️🇨🇳 #AviationNews.”
Routes in the Sky: What’s Flying and When
The first leg is modest but promising. IndiGo’s 6E 95 from Kolkata’s NSCBI Airport to Guangzhou Baiyun International covers 2,800 km in about 4.5 hours, with fares starting at Rs 25,000 one-way. It departed at 10 pm on October 26, carrying 180 passengers – mostly traders, students, and a few eager tourists. The return flight, 6E 96, leaves Guangzhou at 1:30 am and lands in Kolkata by 5:30 am local time.
Next up: Delhi-Guangzhou from November 10, operated by IndiGo on a thrice-weekly basis initially. Other potential links include Mumbai-Shanghai and Chennai-Beijing, but those await airline bids and slot approvals. Guangzhou, a southern China hub for electronics and manufacturing, fits India’s export push – think textiles and pharma heading east.
For now, it’s IndiGo leading the charge. “We’re thrilled to bridge this gap,” said IndiGo spokesperson for the launch. Airports geared up with extra immigration counters and COVID-era health desks, just in case. Travelers need valid visas – e-visas for tourism are back, but business ones require invites.
On the ground in Guangzhou, the landing drew a small welcome party from the Chinese embassy. “Smooth and easy,” tweeted one passenger, sharing pics of the neon-lit runway. X lit up with relief: “No more layovers! India-China direct flights = game changer for NRIs and deal-makers.”
Bigger Picture: Trade, Tourism, and Trust-Building
Flights aren’t flying solo – they’re part of a broader reset. Bilateral trade hit $135 billion last year, but India’s deficit stands at $85 billion, mostly from Chinese imports like mobiles and machinery. Easier travel means more face-to-face deals; Kolkata’s traders eye Guangzhou’s factories for quicker sourcing.
Tourism could rebound big. Pre-2020, 1.5 million Chinese visited India yearly for Taj Mahal selfies and yoga retreats; Indians flocked to Great Wall treks. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra restarted this year too, blending faith with flights. “This aerial link pulls us from stalemate to win-win,” said Qian Feng, a Tsinghua University expert.
Students and families cheer loudest. Over 20,000 Indians study in China; direct hops cut the hassle. “My daughter in Beijing won’t need stopovers anymore,” shared Kolkata resident Rajesh Kumar on X. Airlines stand to gain: The route could add $500 million in revenue yearly, per industry estimates.
Yet, it’s fragile. Ladakh patrols continue, and trust rebuilds slow. “Flights are good, but borders need watching,” cautioned retired diplomat Ashok Kantha. On X, some voiced caution: “Great for business, but let’s not forget Galwan. Proceed with eyes open.”
Voices from the Air and Ground: Excitement Meets Caution
At Kolkata airport, first-timer Neha Patel, a textile exporter, bubbled: “I’ve waited years for this. Guangzhou deals over video calls? No more – face-to-face seals trust.” In Guangzhou, Chinese student Li Wei, heading to Delhi for studies, added: “India’s culture calls me. Flights make dreams real.”
PM Modi, in Kazan, had set the tone: “Peace on borders paves way for prosperity in skies.” Xi nodded to “strategic ties” in Tianjin. Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu tweeted: “A new chapter in connectivity – boosting economy and exchanges.”
Skeptics linger. “Trade yes, but tourism? With visa hassles?” wondered X user @MofaYasir. Still, the buzz is positive: “India-China flights back! From foes to frequent flyers?” joked @thus_spake.
Tips for Flyers: Visas, Bookings, and What to Pack
Eager to jet? Start with visas – apply online via Chinese embassy sites for tourism (30 days) or business (multiple entry). IndiGo bookings open on their app; expect full houses soon. Pack light for 23kg baggage, and download WeChat for China payments – cash is king otherwise. Check weather – Guangzhou’s humid, Delhi’s cool this season. Follow IndiGo’s updates on X for delays.
Looking Ahead: Will Skies Stay Open?
The flight restart is a test run. If trade booms and tourists return, more routes could launch by mid-2026, maybe even cargo links for e-commerce. But any LAC flare-up could ground plans fast. “It’s a confidence-building measure, not a treaty,” said Kantha. Both sides watch closely – India for border calm, China for market access.
For now, the hum of jet engines over Kolkata and Guangzhou signals hope. “This flight is more than travel – it’s a handshake in the air,” said passenger Anil Sharma, a Kolkata businessman. Stay tuned for updates as this journey unfolds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When did India-China direct flights resume, and which route started first?
A: Direct flights resumed on October 26, 2025, with the first IndiGo flight (6E 95) from Kolkata to Guangzhou landing Sunday night. It departed at 10 pm IST and took 4.5 hours, carrying 180 passengers. The next route, Delhi-Guangzhou, starts November 10 on a thrice-weekly basis. This follows a five-year ban due to the Ladakh standoff and COVID-19.
Q2: Why were flights stopped between India and China?
A: Flights halted in March 2020 due to COVID-19 lockdowns. The ban deepened after the June 2020 Galwan Valley clash, where 20 Indian soldiers died, leading to a military standoff along the LAC with 50,000 troops each. India tied flight resumption to border disengagement, achieved in October 2024 after 21 rounds of talks.
Q3: What other routes might open soon?
A: Beyond Kolkata-Guangzhou and Delhi-Guangzhou, possible routes include Mumbai-Shanghai and Chennai-Beijing. These depend on airline bids, slot approvals, and demand. Guangzhou’s focus reflects trade ties; Shanghai and Beijing target tourism and students. Updates expected by early 2026.
Q4: How will this affect trade and tourism between India and China?
A: Trade could grow, with $135 billion already last year and a $85 billion deficit. Direct flights ease sourcing for Kolkata traders and boost pharma exports. Tourism may rebound – 1.5 million Chinese visited India pre-2020, and Indians love China trips. Airlines could see $500 million yearly.
Q5: What do I need to travel on these new flights?
A: You’ll need a valid visa – e-visas for tourism (30 days) or business invites. Book via IndiGo’s app; fares start at Rs 25,000 one-way. Pack 23kg baggage, download WeChat for payments, and check weather – humid Guangzhou, cool Delhi.
Q6: Is this a sign of full peace between India and China?
A: No, it’s a confidence-building step, not full peace. Troops still patrol the LAC, and trust is thin. The Modi-Xi meeting and troop pullbacks helped, but any border flare-up could pause flights. It’s trade and travel first, diplomacy next.