Economic Drivers and Risks Behind IndiGo’s New Shanghai Route

On 29 March 2026, daily flights on the Kolkata – Shanghai route were launched by IndiGo. There has not been any direct connectivity between the two cities since the COVID-19 pandemic led to a suspension of India-China flight services in 2020. 

India and China had a combined trading volume of over $155 billion in 2025, yet moving between the two countries remained remarkably difficult.

Why Kolkata?

Kolkata is slowly turning into a major international airport in eastern India. West Bengal exports marine products, leather and textiles valued at nearly $12 billion a year, much of this heading for China. 

A direct flight from India to Shanghai will save business time and money. Students and small business owners also gain advantages.

A Route With Real Stakes

This is more than just a new flight path. Politics between India and China have been complicated in the last few years and aviation links were among the casualties. After October 2025, flights only began returning. 

IndiGo has launched a Kolkata-Shanghai service, on top of its earlier Kolkata-Guangzhou restart, showing both sides are serious to normalise travel.

What Comes Next

IndiGo plans to use 40% of its capacity on international routes by 2030 amid rising fuel costs and volatile currency. The market needn’t worry, as it still has enough sustained demand to survive in the longer term. 

But the way is clear. For traders, exporters, and traveller’s from eastern India, direct access to Shanghai is a real game changer.