After more than five years, India and China are finally reconnecting through the skies. Starting late October 2025, direct flights between the two countries will officially return.
This is exciting news not only for travelers flying between India and China but also for Canadians traveling to India. These new connections will expand travel options across Asia, offering more flexibility, competitive pricing, and convenient new itineraries.
A Long Wait Finally Ends
When India and China suspended direct flights in 2020, it disrupted one of Asia’s most important travel corridors. The pause began during the pandemic and was later extended due to diplomatic tensions. For years, anyone traveling between the two countries, including passengers from Canada heading to India, had to rely on longer connections through hubs like Bangkok, Seoul, or Dubai.
In early 2025, both governments began discussions to reopen these routes. As we saw when Canada and China resumed direct flights earlier this year, improved air access in Asia often creates a ripple effect across the region. That progress helped pave the way for India and China to restore their own flight links.
Now, those discussions have paid off. India–China direct flights are officially returning in late October 2025. This is a major step forward in Asia’s post-pandemic travel recovery.
IndiGo Leads the Way: Kolkata–Guangzhou Route Launches
The first confirmed route will be Kolkata to Guangzhou, operated by IndiGo Airlines, beginning October 26, 2025. This nonstop service marks the official restart of direct connectivity between India and China.
Earlier this year, we noted growing momentum around this development in our article on India–China flights returning by winter 2025. IndiGo has now turned that progress into reality.
The airline has also applied to launch Delhi–Guangzhou, which is expected to follow soon after. These flights will help strengthen business, educational, and tourism ties across Asia while creating additional options for travelers flying from Canada to India.
More Airlines Preparing to Join
IndiGo may be the first airline to resume service, but several others are preparing to follow.
Air India is expected to relaunch its Delhi–Shanghai route by the end of 2025.
China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines are planning to restart flights to Delhi and Mumbai soon after.
Air China has applied for a Beijing–Delhi service, with operations likely beginning in early 2026.
As more airlines return, travelers can expect an increase in flight availability and fare competition across Asia.
For Canadians traveling to India, this means a broader mix of route options. Chinese cities such as Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing will soon join the list of possible connection hubs, adding flexibility when nonstop or European routes are full or more expensive.
What This Means for Canada–India Travelers
1. More Route Options
With China reopening as a connection hub, travelers from Canada to India will soon have more ways to reach their destination. While direct flights and European connections remain the fastest routes, options through Chinese cities like Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing provide valuable flexibility, especially during high-demand travel periods.
2. Competitive Fares
As more airlines return to the market, competition will likely increase. That means more choices and potentially lower fares for travelers, particularly for those combining multiple destinations across Asia.
3. Greater Schedule Flexibility
New routes mean more departure times and connecting options from Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary. This makes it easier to plan around personal schedules and seasonal demand.
4. Easier Multi-City Travel
For travelers interested in exploring more than one destination, the renewed India–China connections make it simpler to plan multi-city trips. Visiting family in India and adding a short visit to China or Southeast Asia will be easier and often more affordable.
Why This Step Matters
The return of India–China flights represents more than just the reopening of air routes. It signals improving cooperation between two major economies and renewed confidence in global travel. The move will also enhance trade, tourism, and cultural exchange across Asia.
For Canadian travelers, this change means broader access to Asia and more options when planning flights to India. It may not make travel times shorter, but it certainly makes travel planning more flexible and, in some cases, more affordable.
What’s Next
- First Flight: IndiGo launches Kolkata–Guangzhou on October 26, 2025
- Next Routes: Delhi–Guangzhou and Delhi–Shanghai expected to follow
- Airlines in Line: IndiGo, Air India, China Southern, China Eastern, Air China
- Expansion Timeline: Gradual rollout through early 2026
Gaba Travel will continue to track each new route announcement so our customers have access to the latest flight options and best fares as they become available.
Plan Your Trip with Gaba Travel
At Gaba Travel, we specialize in Canada–India flights and monitor every new airline development across Asia.
Whether you are flying from Vancouver, Toronto, or Calgary, our experienced team can help you find the most efficient routes and lowest available fares, including future stopover options through China once these flights begin.
Call 604-324-3336 or 1-800-663-6696, or visit www.gabatravel.com to plan your next trip today. Explore new India–China connections and discover flexible routes from Canada to India. Contact Us Now!
