IndiGo First to Resume India-China Direct Flights, Routes and Launch Date Confirmed
Photo Credit: Pieter Elbers on stage at the Skift India Forum in March 2025. Skift
Skift Take
Well, now here’s something President Trump can take credit for. The new round of tariffs on Indian imports may be nudging Delhi and Beijing a little closer together and direct flights are back on the map.
IndiGo has become the first Indian carrier to announce the return of direct flights to China. Starting October 26, the airline will operate a daily, non-stop service between Kolkata and Guangzhou.
Subject to approvals, a Delhi-Guangzhou route will follow soon, the airline said. The flights will operate on Airbus A320neo aircraft.
“We are looking at introducing more direct flights into China,” said IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers.
This is the first direct passenger link between the two countries in almost five years. Skift has come to know that Air India would also be resuming direct flights from Delhi to Shanghai by the end of this year.
Since 2020, travelers had no choice but to fly through third countries like Singapore, Bangkok, or Hong Kong, making trips longer and far more expensive.
