New Delhi: Direct air connectivity between India and China will resume this month after being suspended for more than four years, marking a key step in normalising bilateral ties.

The Civil Aviation Ministry said on Thursday that designated carriers from both countries can restart operations by late October, following sustained engagement between the aviation authorities.

Flights were suspended in early 2020 due to the pandemic and remained off the schedule amid the eastern Ladakh border tensions. IndiGo will be the first to relaunch services, with daily non-stop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou starting October 26. The airline said it also plans to introduce a Delhi–Guangzhou route soon, using Airbus A320 neo aircraft.

Air India, which previously operated services from Delhi to Shanghai, is expected to restart China flights by the end of this year, sources indicated.

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“The resumption of direct flights will enhance connectivity, support people-to-people exchanges, and boost economic collaboration between India and China,” the ministry said in a statement.

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