Core Viewpoint - Indigo Airlines has resumed direct flights from Kolkata, India to Guangzhou, China, marking the first direct flight between India and mainland China since 2020, which was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic [1] Group 1: Flight Resumption - The flight operated by Indigo Airlines on the Kolkata-Guangzhou route utilized an Airbus A320neo and carried 176 passengers [1] - The Indian government plans to gradually restore flights between New Delhi and Shanghai or Guangzhou in the coming months [1] Group 2: Economic and Social Impact - The CEO of Indigo Airlines, Peter Elbers, stated that the resumption of direct flights will facilitate smoother movement of people and goods between the two countries, enhancing the connection between the world's most populous and fastest-growing economies [1]

Core Points - Indigo Airlines is set to resume daily direct flights from Kolkata (CCU) to Guangzhou (CAN) starting October 26, 2025, marking a significant step in re-establishing cross-border trade and tourism between India and China [1][3] - The airline will operate the route using Airbus A320neo aircraft, which aligns with its global expansion strategy and commitment to enhancing international connectivity for India [3] Group 1 - The resumption of the Guangzhou route is a major development in strengthening India's international connectivity and expanding Indigo Airlines' global business footprint [3] - Indigo Airlines' CEO, Pieter Elbers, expressed pride in being one of the first airlines to restore direct flights between India and mainland China, emphasizing the importance of facilitating exchanges in trade, tourism, and people-to-people connections [3] - The airline plans to introduce more direct flights to China as part of its strategy to enhance its international network and solidify its position in the global aviation market [3] Group 2 - Indigo Airlines is one of the fastest-growing airlines globally, operating over 2,200 flights daily with a fleet of more than 400 aircraft, connecting over 90 domestic and 40 international destinations [3] - In the fiscal year 2025, Indigo Airlines is expected to welcome over 118 million passengers and has plans to introduce 58 new aircraft in 2024 [3] - Following regulatory approval, Indigo Airlines aims to launch direct flights between Delhi and Guangzhou as well [3]