Direct flights between India and China have resumed after a five-year break, with IndiGo restarting Kolkata to Guangzhou flights. The inaugural service took off from Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport on October 26, marking an important step in rebuilding post-pandemic travel and trade links between the two nations.
IndiGo Restarts Key India–China Route
The first IndiGo flight, an Airbus A320neo, departed Kolkata at 10 p.m. carrying 176 passengers. The event was marked by a ceremonial lamp lighting—symbolizing renewed goodwill between India and China. Airport Director P.R. Beuria, along with senior officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and IndiGo, attended the ceremony.
The new daily service reconnects two major commercial hubs: Kolkata, the gateway to eastern India, and Guangzhou, one of China’s leading manufacturing centers. The Kolkata-Guangzhou air route had been suspended since early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising border tensions that halted most India-China direct flights.
Boost for Trade and Tourism
Photo by Amlan Saha Kundu on Unsplash
According to airport officials, the revival of the route is expected to strengthen business and tourism ties. “This service will not only enhance convenience for travelers but also deepen economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries,” an NSCBI spokesperson said, as quoted by NDTV.
The renewed flight connectivity between India and China benefits exporters, students, and business travelers seeking faster access to southern China. Industry experts note that the reinstated service could also attract more international flights from Kolkata, helping position the city as a growing aviation hub in eastern India.
Strategic Step for Regional Aviation
Before the suspension, Kolkata to Guangzhou flights were among the few direct routes linking India and China, supporting robust trade and passenger movement. With the route’s return, officials anticipate renewed confidence and cooperation in bilateral air travel.
As global aviation rebounds, the resumption of this service is a symbolic milestone, signaling a slow but steady normalization of India-China relations in the skies.
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*Banner photo by u_2idswfsjz0 from pixabay
