India and China resumed direct flights on Sunday night after a five-year suspension, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations marked by renewed dialogue and gradual easing of tensions. An IndiGo Airbus A320neo, carrying 176 passengers, departed from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata for Guangzhou, becoming the first direct commercial flight between the two countries since early 2020.

The resumption is seen as a timely boost for thousands of travellers, students, and businesspeople, many of whom had been forced to travel via expensive and circuitous routes through third countries since the outbreak of COVID-19 and the Galwan Valley clashes.​

Diplomatic Thaw Behind Aviation Revival

This direct air connectivity comes as relations between India and China warm following several rounds of high-level diplomatic talks. In recent months, leaders from both countries have signalled willingness to resolve disputes and focus on practical cooperation. Chinese Deputy Consul General Qin Yong described the restarting of flights as “the first fruit” of consensus reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping. The September visit of Modi to Tianjin and ongoing dialogue on border issues have helped lay the foundation for this revival, along with agreements to simplify visas and update the Air Services Agreement.​

The reopening of the route was celebrated with a small lamp-lighting ceremony at the Kolkata airport, attended by airline officials, airport representatives, and a few passengers. According to Airport Director P.R. Beuria, the initiative will not only reinforce business and tourism ties but also greatly enhance convenience for the travelling public. For years, Kolkata–Guangzhou flights were seen as an important economic as well as cultural corridor, especially for eastern India and southern China.​

Trade Shifts and Strategic Adjustments

The resumption of flights comes at a crucial time for India, as its relations with the United States have faced new obstacles. The imposition of tariffs by the US administration and continuing disagreements over Russia have resulted in a reassessment of old partnerships. Analysts say this has partly influenced India’s willingness to restore normalcy in ties with China and increase economic cooperation despite underlying strategic rivalry.​

The new direct route is expected to greatly reduce travel times and costs, which were major challenges for business and student travellers during the suspension. Now, with one-way fares from around ₹11,003, the prospect of easier travel will likely see many students, professionals, and traders returning to direct flights as their preferred mode of transport. The move has been widely welcomed by both Indian and Chinese officials, who see it as a step towards broader economic engagement and trust-building.​

Airlines Eye Long-Term Market Growth

The aviation revival does not stop with the Kolkata–Guangzhou connection. India’s IndiGo will begin daily Delhi–Guangzhou flights from 10 November, while China Eastern Airlines is set to launch the Shanghai–Delhi service from 9 November, operating three times a week. Air India is also preparing to re-enter the route network before the end of the year, which will further strengthen options for travellers and support trade and tourism. Before the pandemic, more than half a million people flew directly between India and China every year, with over 500 flights a month at the peak of air connectivity.​

Officials expect the current wave of route launches to help restore Kolkata’s status as a major international aviation hub for eastern India, with hopes of eventually returning to pre-pandemic traffic levels. With improved connectivity, both governments will closely watch the travel demand while managing sensitive diplomatic issues.​

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