India-China direct flights from Oct 26: IndiGo first Indian airline to announce dates

Following the recent feat in diplomatic ties between India and China, the Indian airline carrier IndiGo announced that it will restart direct flight services to mainland China. The low-cost carrier on Thursday revealed a new daily non-stop route between the two nations from Kolkata to Guangzhou.

According to a statement released by IndiGo, the direct flights between the two cities would begin on October 26, 2025. The airline mentioned that it is also planning to introduce direct flights between Delhi and Guangzhou at a later stage, pending regulatory clearances.

As per the statement, the flights will be operating using Airbus A320neo aircraft. According to the Indian airline, the resumption is intended to restore connectivity that was suspended during the pandemic, supporting both cross-border trade and tourism.

One of the first airlines to provide direct flights between India and China

It is pertient to note that IndiGo previously operated flights between India and China before both countries imposed COVID-19 restrictions. The airline noted that its prior experience and existing arrangements with local partners will help smooth the process of resuming operations.

“We are proud to be amongst the first to resume direct connectivity to China from two points in India. This will once again allow seamless movement of people, goods, and ideas, while also strengthening bilateral ties between the two of the world’s most populous countries and fast-growing economies,” IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said in the statement.

The airline noted tickets from the Kolkata–Guangzhou route will go on sale starting 3 October 2025 and will be available through IndiGo’s website and mobile app.

It is important to note that the move came as India and China work to restore direct flights after a five-year suspension as a part of broader efforts to normalise relations and expand people-to-people contact.