IndiGo’s A320 Neo departed Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at 10 PM Sunday, restoring direct commercial flights to Guangzhou after a five-year gap caused by COVID-19 and the 2020 Ladakh border standoff. Flight 6E 1701 carried 176 passengers on its maiden voyage, with daily non-stop services now set to boost business, tourism, and cultural ties between eastern India and China’s southern industrial hub.
A short ceremony preceded departure. One passenger lit the ceremonial lamp amid cheers from NSCBI Director P R Beuria, AAI officials, and IndiGo staff, symbolizing renewed bilateral cooperation. “This route reopens critical trade and travel channels,” Beuria stated, highlighting Guangzhou’s access to the $1.5 trillion Pearl River Delta economy.
The suspension had disrupted thousands of Bengali traders, students, and medical tourists who once used the 4.5-hour flight. Pre-pandemic weekly services reached 14; IndiGo now jumps to daily, using fuel-efficient A320 Neos with 180-186 seats. One-way fares begin at ₹11,999, cutting costs 30-40 percent versus multi-stop routes through Delhi or Bangkok.
Also Read: IndiGo Flight with 166 Passengers Lands Safely in Varanasi After Fuel Leak Scare
Economic impact hits immediately. Kolkata exporters of jute, tea, and leather gain faster access to Guangdong factories, while Chinese electronics and machinery reach eastern India cheaper. Bengal’s tourism board targets 50,000 annual Chinese visitors via the route, tapping Guangzhou’s travel surge. Medical tourism rebounds too, with Fortis and Apollo hospitals booking Chinese patients for Kolkata’s affordable cardiac and oncology care.
Airport upgrades include bilingual signage, WeChat Pay kiosks, and a dedicated China desk for smoother immigration. Cargo terminals prioritize Darjeeling tea and live crabs for Guangzhou’s gourmet markets. IndiGo plans winter 2025 code-shares with China Southern, potentially connecting Kolkata to 20+ Chinese cities with one stop.
The launch follows diplomatic breakthroughs, including Modi-Xi meetings and border disengagement agreements. Analysts view it as a confidence-building step with major economic upside, bilateral trade already topped $115 billion in 2024. For Kolkata, the route solidifies its role as eastern India’s premier global gateway, challenging Delhi and Mumbai dominance in China traffic. November bookings stand at 85 percent, confirming strong demand.
Also Read: IndiGo Flight Delayed After Passenger Power Bank Catches Fire at Delhi Airport