IndiGo Launches Second Direct Flight from India to China

Guangzhou, China — Indian airline IndiGo began its second direct flight route between India and the Chinese mainland on November 11, 2025. Flight 6E 1701 arrived in Guangzhou from Delhi, enhancing travel and economic connectivity between the two nations.

This inaugural flight follows IndiGo’s recent resumption of its Kolkata-Guangzhou service on October 26, making it the first Indian airline to restart direct flights to China after a five-year hiatus. The new Delhi-Guangzhou route connects the Indian capital, a critical aviation hub, with Guangzhou, a major business and manufacturing center in South China.

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers expressed his enthusiasm during a celebration ceremony at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, stating, “We are delighted to further expand IndiGo’s presence in China with this new daily connection from Delhi.” He emphasized the importance of increasing direct air connectivity between the two countries to facilitate cultural and economic exchanges.

During an interview, Elbers noted that preparations for the Kolkata-Guangzhou route took about two to three months, citing the need for permits and approvals. He highlighted that the demand for this route has been significant, with flights operating at nearly full capacity.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that the resumption of direct flights aligns with a broader agreement reached between the leaders of India and China, emphasizing the importance of enhancing connections for the more than 2.8 billion people living in both countries.

Elbers also mentioned that IndiGo plans to evaluate further operations from additional Indian cities to more Chinese destinations, recognizing the vast market opportunities in both countries, which together make up a third of the world’s population.

As part of ongoing developments, China Eastern Airlines resumed flights from Shanghai to Delhi, marking another significant step in revitalizing direct air travel links. The renewed connectivity is expected to facilitate the growth of trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between India and China.