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New Delhi: Direct flights between India and China have finally resumed after more than five years. The flight Indigo6E took off today from Kolkata to Guangzhou at 10 pm. The development was confirmed on Sunday by Yu Jing, spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India. “Direct flights between China and India are now a reality,” Yu wrote on X.
The Shanghai-New Delhi route will begin operations on November 9, with three flights every week. Direct flights were operational between the two nations until early 2020. As situations changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the countries halted direct flights. After that the services suspended due to the eastern Ladakh border debate which caused tensions between the two countries.
On the resumption of direct flights between India and China after a five-year hiatus, Pravat Ranjan Beuria, Director of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, says, "The resumption of flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou, China, is a great moment for all the people of Kolkata. This flight was inaugurated by the passengers lighting the lamp. So everyone is happy. 176 passengers are travelling on the first flight, so it is a great occasion. As the airport authority, we are providing all the facilities and back-up for the operation of the flight..."
Qin Yong, Deputy Consul General of China in Kolkata, says, "China is now India's largest trading partner. We have a lot to do in the foreign international market. We should have more corporations because tariffs, problems have not been resolved, and there are a lot of uncertainties for the global economy. And I think that as important members like BRICS and our SCO members and important members of the Global South, China and India should cooperate more not only for the bilateral trade market, but also in the international market..."
On resumption of direct flights between India and China, he says, "...I think the flight is fully booked. I think it's a very good restart."'
IndiGo has announced that it will resume flights to China, reinstating direct air connectivity between the two countries after more than four years. Starting October 26, 2025, the airline will operate daily, non-stop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou using its Airbus A320neo fleet.
In its October 2 press release, IndiGo also revealed plans to expand this service by introducing direct flights between Delhi and Guangzhou, pending regulatory approvals. These new routes aim to boost trade, tourism, and business ties between India and China.
The airline later confirmed on October 11 that daily Delhi–Guangzhou flights will commence from November 10, further strengthening connectivity between the two nations.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also confirmed the resumption of direct air services earlier this month. Flights between India and China had been suspended since early 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Galwan Valley clash, which marked one of the most serious military confrontations in decades.
Although diplomatic relations had remained strained, a breakthrough agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in October 2024 helped ease tensions. The restoration of direct flights now represents a significant step toward renewed engagement and cooperation, signaling intent from both governments to rebuild commercial, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges.
