For the first time in five years, travellers can once again fly directly between India and mainland China without triangulating through Hong Kong, Singapore, or Bangkok. On the night of October 26, an IndiGo aircraft took off from Kolkata for Guangzhou, reopening a once-busy air corridor that had remained shut since early 2020. The resumption carries more than just the weight of aviation logistics—it signals a cautious but notable thaw in relations between the two Asian giants, one that might reshape business, tourism, and student mobility in the months ahead.
The inaugural Kolkata–Guangzhou flight operated on IndiGo’s Airbus A320, departing from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata and landing in Guangzhou in the early hours of the next morning. The flight is now scheduled to operate daily, offering travellers a direct journey of roughly four hours—a significant improvement from the previously unavoidable 10–12 hour journeys involving long layovers.
This route holds historic and cultural importance. Kolkata has long been a gateway for economic exchange with southern China and is home to one of India’s oldest Chinese communities. For many business travellers, students, and residents with personal ties across the border, the return of this direct connection feels both practical and symbolic—a nod to old relationships and a step towards renewing them.
The Kolkata service is only the start. IndiGo is set to launch a second daily direct route, this time between Delhi and Guangzhou, beginning November 10. Meanwhile, China Eastern Airlines will resume its Shanghai–Delhi service from November 9 with three flights a week, using wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft. Air India is also preparing to re-enter China routes before the end of the year, bringing further options to travellers and strengthening India’s international network.
If schedules hold, weekly direct flights between the two countries are expected to reach a minimum of 17 frequencies by mid-November. Before the pandemic, the number was dramatically higher, with more than 500 flights a month at the peak of connectivity. Airlines are approaching the revival cautiously, but confidently, signalling a belief that the demand, and the relationship, will rebuild steadily.
The re-establishment of air routes arrives at a moment when bilateral ties seem to be stabilising after years of strain. Diplomatic engagement earlier this year, including high-level visits and discussions on border management, laid the groundwork for the return of flights. The decision also aligns with India’s recent move to resume tourist visa processing for Chinese nationals. In aviation terms, the resumption is being seen as the reopening of a strategic air bridge—one that supports economic cooperation even when politics tread carefully.
For travellers, the advantage is straightforward: faster, cheaper, and more predictable travel. One-way fares from Kolkata to Guangzhou currently start around INR 14,000 to INR 15,000 depending on date and demand, while Delhi–Shanghai fares are averaging INR 18,000 to INR 20,000. As the winter travel season approaches, fares may fluctuate, but early bookings are likely to offer value.
The return of direct flights is expected to particularly benefit three key groups:
Students: Thousands of Indian students enrolled in Chinese universities had been struggling with long connections and expensive itineraries.
Business travellers: Guangzhou and Shanghai are major manufacturing and trade hubs, and direct access is expected to support MSMEs, exporters, and corporate partnerships.
Tourists: Direct air travel could encourage renewed interest in cultural, culinary, and urban exploration across both regions.
There is also a significant upside for cargo services. Faster shipping routes could prove a boon for industries ranging from textiles and electronics to pharmaceuticals and lifestyle goods.
While the renewed connectivity is being viewed as a positive shift, both countries seem to be moving with measured optimism. More routes—such as Mumbai–Beijing—are being discussed for 2026, though final schedules will depend on demand, regulatory processes, and the larger diplomatic climate.
For now, though, the skies between India and China are open again. After years of uncertainty, travellers boarding these flights are doing more than crossing borders—they are helping rebuild one of Asia’s most consequential relationships.
1. Why were direct flights between India and China suspended?
Direct flights were halted in early 2020 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and later remained suspended amid border tensions and diplomatic strain.
2. Which routes have resumed first?
The first route to resume is Kolkata–Guangzhou operated by IndiGo. China Eastern will restart Shanghai–Delhi next, followed by Delhi–Guangzhou.
3. How frequently will these flights operate?
IndiGo is currently operating daily flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou. The Shanghai–Delhi route will run three times a week.
4. What are the approximate ticket prices?
Initial fares start at around INR 14,000–INR15,000 one-way for Kolkata–Guangzhou and INR 18,000–INR 20,000 for Delhi–Shanghai, depending on demand and dates.
5. Who benefits most from the resumed routes?
The biggest beneficiaries include students, business travellers, and export-import traders, along with tourists seeking faster, more direct travel.
