Direct Flights Between India and China Resume After Four Years

Resumption of Direct Flights Between Kolkata and Guangzhou

On Sunday, direct flights between India and China resumed for the first time in four years, excluding services to Hong Kong. These flights had been suspended since early 2020 when COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic.

Kolkata to Guangzhou Flights Restarted

Direct flights from Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, to Guangzhou, China, have recommenced after a hiatus of over four years. An official reported that the inaugural flight departed from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at 10 PM, carrying a total of 176 passengers on board, operated by the private airline Indigo.

Flight Services Suspended Due to Pandemic

Prior to the pandemic, direct flights between India and China were operational until early 2020. However, these services were halted due to the COVID-19 outbreak and ongoing border disputes between the two nations in Eastern Ladakh. Recently, following diplomatic efforts, Indigo announced the resumption of its services to China starting October 26, linking Kolkata with Guangzhou.

Diplomatic Efforts Leading to Flight Resumption

The Indian government's decision to reopen tourist visas for Chinese citizens paved the way for the resumption of flights. During Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's visit in January, both Delhi and Beijing reached a preliminary agreement to restore air services. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China at the end of August, his first in seven years, emphasized the need for both countries to be viewed as partners rather than competitors in development.

Business Benefits from Direct Flights

For Arjun Gupta, a businessman operating restaurants and electronics in New Town, the restart of direct flights means significant savings in both time and money. He stated, "For the past five years, we had to take detours through Delhi and Bangkok to reach China. This was not only exhausting but also extremely costly. I had to limit my travels. This direct flight takes just three and a half hours and is quite affordable." Pinal Gandhi traveled from Ahmedabad just to catch the first flight, expressing, "This could be the best news for my business in recent weeks, as I frequently need to travel to China for expansion purposes."

Indigo's Future Plans

Peter Elbers, the CEO of Indigo, remarked, "This will once again facilitate the seamless movement of people, goods, and ideas, strengthening bilateral relations between the world's two most populous and rapidly growing economies. With this significant step, we are considering launching more direct flights to China." Prior to departure, Kolkata Airport's director, Pravat Ranjan Beuria, and several senior Indigo officials participated in a ceremony where Liu lit a ceremonial lamp.