Direct flights between India-China after 5 years to boost bilateral trade
The Statesman | 26 October 2025IndiGo will restart its flight service connecting Kolkata and Guangzhou from 26 October, while China Eastern Airlines will resume its Shanghai-Delhi operations from 9 November. Speaking at an event in Kolkata, China’s Consul General Xu Wei said the move comes as part of broader efforts by both countries’ foreign ministries and civil aviation departments to reinforce their 75 years of bilateral relationship through enhanced trade and people-to-people exchanges.
“Direct air services between India and China will resume after more than five years on 26 October, with IndiGo set to restart flights connecting Kolkata and Guangzhou. Vinay Malhotra, head of global sales at IndiGo, said, “We are pleased to enhance our connectivity to China with daily direct flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou, in addition to the resumed route from Delhi also.” China Eastern Airlines will resume flights between Shanghai and Delhi from 9 November,” Xu Wei announced. He added that China Eastern Airlines would operate three flights a week – on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays – using an A330-200 aircraft. “The resumption of this service marks the full restoration of China Eastern Airlines’ network in India, providing fresh momentum for people-to-people exchanges and economic and trade collaboration,” a source stated.
Deputy Consul General of China in Kolkata, Qin Yong, said the initial aim is to connect Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen with Delhi and Kolkata. “We have the concept of ‘four-layer’ cities. China’s fourth-tier cities are smaller but rapidly developing urban centres located beyond the major commercial hubs. Over recent years, these cities have witnessed fast-paced growth in infrastructure, industries, and retail markets. They could play an increasingly important role in strengthening India and China’s internal economy. We wish to build a sincere and closer partnership with India so that trade and commerce between the two countries grow stronger,” he said.
Officials of the Airport Authority of India (AAI) noted that the Union civil aviation ministry is hoping the direct connectivity will have far-reaching economic benefits for the region. “The revival of air links will significantly improve commercial engagement between eastern India and southern China, particularly in sectors like textiles, electronics, and small-scale manufacturing. It will also promote tourism between the two countries,” the official said.
Xu Wei also highlighted that the flights would ease education and medical exchanges, allowing Indian students studying in China and Chinese nationals visiting Kolkata for healthcare or business to travel more conveniently. “Direct flights reduce both time and cost, expanding economic opportunities and enhancing the trade potential of eastern India,” he added.
Direct flights between India and China were operational until early 2020 but were suspended following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and amid tensions along the eastern Ladakh border. On 2 October, India’s civil aviation ministry had announced that direct air services would resume by the end of October, following continuous technical-level engagements between civil aviation authorities of both nations — a clear indication of efforts to normalise bilateral ties.
The restoration of air services is expected to mark a new chapter in India-China relations, balancing strategic concerns with a pragmatic focus on trade, connectivity, and cooperation.
The governments of China and India are exploring the possibility of introducing more direct flight services between the two countries to boost bilateral trade and people-to-people exchanges, sources also said. Officials believe that increasing the number of direct air links will help facilitate smoother business travel, tourism, and cultural exchanges, while also strengthening diplomatic ties between the two Asian giants.
Future routes under discussion may include Kolkata–Guangzhou and Chennai–Shenzhen, aimed at linking more commercial hubs in both countries.
