Kolkata–Guangzhou Flights Set to Resume as India–China Air Connectivity Restarts

After a gap of five years, direct air connectivity between India and China is finally set to return. Beginning with the Winter 2025 schedule (from October 26, 2025), IndiGo and Air India are expected to relaunch services to key Chinese cities.

Kolkata – Guangzhou will be one of the first routes to restart, along with a route from Mumbai/Delhi – Shanghai. According to industry sources, the Centre has already approved these flights, and Indian airlines now await final operational authorisation from Chinese authorities.

This development is significant as it marks the first concrete step towards restoring connectivity between the two nations after services were suspended in early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and later complicated by border tensions.

Prior to the suspension, airlines from both countries operated direct flights to several destinations, including Shanghai, Guangzhou, New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. While flights to Hong Kong resumed, direct flights to mainland China remained on hold until now.

The revival of Kolkata–Guangzhou flights is expected to boost trade, business travel, and tourism, further cementing Kolkata’s role as an eastern gateway.

At Kolkata Calling, we hope this move is just the beginning, and that Kolkata will soon see more direct international connections, strengthening its global reach.