Low-cost carrier IndiGo on Thursday announced the restart of its flight services to China, restoring direct air connectivity between the two nations after more than five years.
Beginning October 26, the airline will operate daily non-stop flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou using its Airbus A320neo fleet. Subject to regulatory clearances, IndiGo also intends to launch direct flights between Delhi and Guangzhou in the near future.
In a statement, the airline said the revival of services would boost tourism and cross-border trade, noting that its previous operations in China and partnerships with local stakeholders would help ensure a smooth resumption.
The development follows the Ministry of External Affairs’ announcement that India and China would allow direct flights between designated cities this month. No direct passenger services have operated since 2020, despite China remaining India’s largest bilateral trading partner.
The move also comes on the heels of recent high-level diplomacy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China last month for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, his first trip there in seven years. During talks with President Xi Jinping, the two leaders stressed the need to strengthen trade ties and cooperate as development partners, while Modi raised concerns about India’s widening trade deficit with China, now estimated at $99.2 billion.
Aviation and trade experts say the resumption of flights will improve business connectivity, support tourism, and signal a cautious thaw in relations between New Delhi and Beijing, even as border issues remain unresolved.
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