China now seems closer as flights are resumed

Along-awaited daily direct flight service between New Delhi and Guangzhou will begin in November, the airline IndiGo says, which will boost exchanges between the world’s two most populous countries.

- By APARAJIT CHAKRABORTY

The airline said it will have daily direct flights between New Delhi and the southern Chinese city starting on November 10, following the resumption of services between Kolkata and Guangzhou on October 26.

“The resumption of operations between the world’s two most populous countries presents immense potential for cultural exchange and economic collaboration,” said Vinay Malhotra, head of global sales of IndiGo.

“With this launch, IndiGo connects China to its vast domestic and growing international network, via Guangzhou. We are confident this will contribute to the acceleration of opportunities in trade, investment, tourism and even education between the two countries, while reinforcing our commitment to connect India to the world”

IndiGo will operate Airbus A320 aircraft on the route.

Air India plans to start direct flights between New Delhi and Shanghai before the end of the year, a senior official said. Before the pandemic, the airline operated four nonstop weekly services from Shanghai to New Delhi, and onward to Mumbai.