IndiGo Bridges the Dragon and the City of Joy with Daily Shanghai Service, planning to launch a new route between kolkata and Shanghai

KOLKATA / SHANGHAI — In a move that signals a significant warming of regional trade ties, India’s largest carrier, IndiGo, has announced the launch of daily direct flights between Kolkata (CCU) and Shanghai (PVG). Effective March 29, 2026, the new route marks the airline’s second direct link to mainland China, following its successful reinstatement of flights to Guangzhou.

The Flight Blueprint

Operated by the workhorse Airbus A320 fleet, the flight connects Eastern India to China’s financial heart in just under four and a half hours.

Flight No.	Sector	Departure (Local)	Arrival (Local)	Frequency
6E 1709	Kolkata → Shanghai	21:45	04:40 (+1)	Daily
6E 1710	Shanghai → Kolkata	05:40	09:05	Daily

The Economic Engine: Beyond Tourism

This isn’t just about leisure travel; it’s a strategic play for West Bengal’s industrial sector.

• Trade Linkages: Exports from West Bengal to China—specifically marine products, leather goods, and specialized textiles—have seen robust growth in the 2025–26 fiscal year.
• Logistics Win: Currently, most Kolkata-based cargo is trucked to Delhi or transited via Singapore, adding up to 24 hours to the supply chain. This direct belly-hold capacity is expected to be “immediately subscribed” by high-value shippers.
• Corporate Connectivity: The late-evening departure from Kolkata allows business travelers to complete a full day’s work in India and arrive in Shanghai fresh for early-morning meetings.

The “Visa” Factor

The launch coincides with a new, streamlined digital visa process. As of December 20, 2025, the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre introduced an online review system, significantly reducing the “physical document” waiting time for Indian travelers.

Industry View: “Shanghai is a global financial hub with a skyline that rivals New York,” says Vinay Malhotra, Global Head of Sales at IndiGo. “This addition to our network is about more than just seats; it’s about facilitating the bilateral trade that will drive the next decade of Asian growth.”

FN24 Travel Digest: The 2026 Snapshot

While the Middle East conflict has created a “gaping hole” in the sky for those heading West, the opening of the Kolkata-Shanghai route serves as a reminder that the world’s economic center of gravity continues to tilt East.

With this, we conclude our special news series. We’ve traveled from the military compounds of Tehran to the modular tech stalls of Barcelona, the sports arenas of São Paulo, and finally, the new flight paths of Kolkata.