Kolkata Resumes Direct Daily Flights To China’s Guangzhou After Four Years
After more than four years of diplomatic and operational hiatus, Kolkata has rekindled its direct aviation link with Guangzhou, marking a significant step towards reviving Indo-China connectivity in the post-pandemic era. The resumption of this route, operated by a leading private airline, signals renewed confidence in cross-border mobility, trade, and tourism between eastern India and mainland China.
The inaugural flight, which took off from Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, carried 176 passengers, representing a full-capacity service on the A320 neo aircraft. The move is being seen as a strategic revival, not only strengthening people-to-people exchange but also reinstating Kolkata’s position as eastern India’s most vital international aviation hub.According to airport authorities, the direct service between Kolkata and Guangzhou will operate daily, providing passengers and businesses with much-needed convenience and predictability. Officials highlighted that the route had been suspended in early 2020 due to the global pandemic and subsequent diplomatic tensions but was reinstated after fresh bilateral engagement between India and China.
The reopening ceremony at the airport was marked by a symbolic gesture the lighting of a ceremonial lamp by one of the passengers reflecting a spirit of renewed friendship and cooperation. Officials from the Airports Authority of India and representatives from the airline were present to commemorate the occasion, underscoring the strategic and emotional significance of the restored air corridor.
Industry experts believe this resumption could have far-reaching implications for both commerce and connectivity. Guangzhou, known as China’s industrial and export hub, serves as a crucial gateway for trade, particularly for India’s electronics, textiles, and machinery sectors.
For Bengal’s exporters and small enterprises, direct air access is expected to ease logistics costs and accelerate cross-border transactions.Moreover, tourism stakeholders have welcomed the move, anticipating a steady increase in passenger flow in both directions. Travel analysts suggest that easier access could help Indian students, business travellers, and medical tourists, as well as Chinese visitors exploring cultural and investment opportunities in eastern India.
The development also aligns with India’s broader goal of promoting sustainable, interconnected cities that prioritise efficient transportation and reduced carbon footprints. Aviation officials noted that newer-generation aircraft operating on this route are equipped with improved fuel efficiency, helping the aviation sector move closer to net-zero emission targets.With flights now taking off daily, the revival of the Kolkata–Guangzhou route marks more than just a return of an international connection it represents a renewed trust in global cooperation, regional development, and the promise of shared growth between the two Asian neighbours.
