IndiGo Launches Daily Kolkata-Shanghai Flight

IndiGo launched a daily nonstop flight between Kolkata and Shanghai on March 29, 2026, marking a significant step in expanding air connectivity between India and China amid efforts to normalize bilateral relations. The service, operated with A320neo aircraft, connects two major commercial hubs and was inaugurated by Pratik Mathur, India's Consul General in Shanghai, who highlighted its role in fostering economic and people-to-people ties.

The new route makes Kolkata the second Indian metropolitan city, after New Delhi, to have direct links to Shanghai, China's financial center. IndiGo now operates 21 weekly flights to mainland China, including services from Kolkata to Guangzhou and Delhi to Guangzhou. This addition enhances access for travelers from nine other Indian cities, including Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Jaipur, and Bhubaneswar, who can now reach Shanghai via Kolkata.

The launch reflects a broader resurgence in India-China aviation links, suspended since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and prolonged border tensions in eastern Ladakh. Flights began resuming last October following the resolution of the standoff. Key developments include China...