India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has introduced a new daily non-stop service connecting Kolkata and Shanghai. This initiative aims to enhance air connectivity between India and China, complementing the recent resumption of flights between Kolkata, Delhi, and Guangzhou. The Kolkata-Shanghai route will be serviced by Airbus A320neo aircraft.
This strategic move by IndiGo is part of its international expansion efforts, offering increased travel options for both business and leisure travelers. The airline seeks to meet the rising demand for trade and tourism between India and China, enabling passengers from various Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to access Shanghai via Kolkata.
Vinay Malhotra, the Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, highlighted that the new route will play a crucial role in strengthening connectivity and promoting business and cultural exchanges between India and China. IndiGo currently operates 21 weekly flights to mainland China, including services to Guangzhou from Delhi and Kolkata.
The flight schedule for the Kolkata-Shanghai route includes departure from Kolkata at 9:45 PM and arrival in Shanghai at 4:40 AM the following day. The return flight departs Shanghai at 5:40 AM and lands in Kolkata at 9:05 AM. Meanwhile, shares of IndiGo’s parent company, InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, were trading at Rs 4,010.30 on the BSE, reflecting a slight decrease from the previous close.
IndiGo had recently announced the launch of over 30 new routes from Navi Mumbai International Airport, connecting various cities such as Agra, Kolkata, and Varanasi. This move is part of the airline’s plan to operate more than 400 weekly departures from Navi Mumbai, enhancing regional connectivity and travel options for passengers.
