KOLKATA: After a five-year hiatus, direct flights between India and China have resumed, marking a significant milestone in air travel. The first flight took off from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata at 10 PM on Sunday, carrying 176 passengers on board. This service, operated by IndiGo, reconnects Kolkata with Guangzhou, a route that had been suspended since early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent border tensions.

Monica Liu, a passenger and owner of a popular Chinese restaurant in Kolkata, expressed her excitement about the flight. "I am flying to meet some of my relatives back in China. I was a frequent flyer between Kolkata and China prior to Covid. Now that direct connectivity is back, I wish to resume regular travel," she said.

The resumption of flights is a result of recent diplomatic efforts, including the reopening of tourist visas for Chinese nationals. The Indian government announced the revival of direct flights on October 2, with the Kolkata-Guangzhou route being the first to resume. Following this, IndiGo plans to start flights from Delhi to Guangzhou on November 10, and China Eastern Airlines will resume its Shanghai-Delhi service a day earlier.

Airport officials noted that the revival of this route will enhance business and tourism ties between the two countries. Pravat Ranjan Beuria, the airport director, stated, "The resumption of flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou is a great moment for all the people of Kolkata. This flight was inaugurated by the passengers lighting the lamp. So everyone is happy."

The previous suspension of flights forced many travelers to take longer, more expensive routes through other countries. Arjun Gupta, a businessman, highlighted the benefits of the direct flight, saying, "This direct flight takes only three-and-a-half hours and is also considerably cheaper."

Chinese Deputy Consul General Qin Yong praised the resumption of flights, calling it an important day for India-China relations. He emphasized the need for further cooperation between the two nations, especially in trade, as China is India's largest trading partner.

With the return of direct flights, both countries aim to strengthen their ties and facilitate easier travel for passengers, goods, and ideas.