Direct flights between India and China have resumed after a five-year break amid improving relations between the countries.
The first flight after the break, IndiGo 6E 1703 from Kolkata, landed in the Chinese city of Guangzhou on Monday, October 27. There were about 180 passengers on board.
Flights between the countries were suspended in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and had not resumed after the escalation of conflict in the disputed Himalayan territory.
However, recently India and China have been gradually improving their relations. Last year, the countries reached a historic agreement on border patrols.
The Indian government noted that the resumption of direct flights "will facilitate people-to-people contacts" and help "gradually normalize bilateral exchanges."
According to OAG, before the suspension of flights in 2019, there were about 2,588 regular flights per year between the countries.
At the airport in Kolkata, airline staff lit oil lamps in honor of the resumption of direct flights. Chinese Consul Qing Yun called this day "very important for India-China relations."
Chinese airline China Eastern Airlines plans to launch flights between Shanghai and New Delhi three times a week starting November 9.
