Core Viewpoint - India and China are set to resume direct flights for the first time since the pandemic, with a consensus reached to restore designated routes by the end of October 2025, pending commercial decisions by airlines and operational standards [3][4]. Group 1: Flight Resumption Details - IndiGo, India's largest airline, will initiate flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou starting October 26, 2025 [3]. - Air India also plans to return to the Chinese market, with other airlines like Air China and Eastern Airlines expected to operate routes between Beijing and New Delhi, and Shanghai and New Delhi, respectively [4]. Group 2: Pre-Pandemic Flight Data - In October 2019, there were four Chinese carriers operating flights to India, with Eastern Airlines having the largest share at 24.2%, followed by Southern Airlines at 22.9%, and Air China at 12.4% [5]. - Two Indian airlines operated flights to China, with IndiGo holding a 20.8% share and Air India at 8.2% [5]. - The most frequent route was from Guangzhou to New Delhi, accounting for 22.9% of the total flights, followed by Shanghai to New Delhi and Kunming to Kolkata [5]. Group 3: Visa Policy and Trade Relations - Prior to the resumption of direct flights, India optimized its visa policy by reinstating tourist visas for Chinese citizens in July 2023, and a consensus was reached in August to promote bilateral trade and investment [5]. Group 4: Market Impact - The resumption of direct flights is expected to reshape the Asian aviation market, as many Indian travelers previously relied on transit through Hong Kong and Singapore to reach Europe and vice versa for Chinese travelers [6].

印度最大航空公司靛蓝航空（IndiGo）今日已率先宣布恢复往返中国的航班，自2025年10月26日起将开 通从加尔各答直飞广州的航线。 根据印度驻华大使馆发布的最新消息，中印双方已达成共识，印中两国间连接指定通航点的直飞航线， 可于2025年10月底前恢复。具体实施需以两国指定航空公司的商业决策为准，并需满足所有运营标准。 印度和中国将在时隔五年后恢复直航航班，这是自疫情以来两国首次重启直航。 由此可见，六家航司的中印航线主要集中在北上广飞新德里，成都和昆明飞新德里，北京和广州飞孟 买，昆明和广州飞加尔各答。 其中广州-新德里的航班量最多，占比22.9%，其次是上海-新德里和昆明-加尔各答，占比19.6%和 12.9%。 在恢复直航前，中印之间的签证政策已率先优化。今年7月，印度在多年限制后恢复向中国公民发放旅 游签证；8月，两国外长在新德里达成推动双边贸易与投资的共识。 中印复航后，也可能重新塑造亚洲航空市场格局。此前有不少印度旅客通过中国香港，新加坡风中转去 欧美，中国旅客往返印度也主要依赖中国香港、泰国等中转枢纽。记者今年六月去印度就是乘坐的国泰 航空，航班客座率很高。而中印直航的开通将吸引不少印度客源 ...

Core Insights - India and China are set to resume direct flights after a five-year hiatus, marking the first resumption of direct air travel since the pandemic [2] - The agreement allows for the restoration of direct flights between designated points in both countries by the end of October 2025, contingent on commercial decisions by designated airlines [2] - IndiGo has announced the launch of flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou starting October 26, 2025, with Air India also planning to return to the Chinese market [3] Summary by Sections Flight Operations - Prior to the pandemic in October 2019, there were four Chinese carriers operating flights between India and China, with Eastern Airlines having the largest share at 24.2% [4] - Southern Airlines accounted for 22.9%, while Air China and Shandong Airlines had shares of 12.4% and 6.4% respectively [4] - On the Indian side, IndiGo held a 20.8% share, and Air India had an 8.2% share of the market [4] Market Dynamics - The majority of flights were concentrated on routes from major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou to New Delhi, with the highest volume on the Guangzhou-New Delhi route at 22.9% [4] - The resumption of direct flights is expected to reshape the Asian aviation market, as many Indian travelers previously relied on transit through hubs like Hong Kong and Singapore to reach Europe and the US [5] - The opening of direct routes is anticipated to attract Indian travelers through major Chinese hubs to international destinations [5] Policy Changes - Prior to the resumption of flights, visa policies between the two countries were optimized, with India restoring tourist visa issuance to Chinese citizens in July [4] - In August, foreign ministers from both countries reached a consensus to promote bilateral trade and investment [4]