After a five-year pause, direct passenger flights between China and India have restarted, with India’s IndiGo launching service from Kolkata to Guangzhou in South China’s Guangdong Province on Sunday night—a step expected to unlock new momentum in bilateral business and trade ties.

The inaugural flight departed at 10 p.m. and arrived in Guangzhou at 4:05 a.m. Monday, operating at full capacity. IndiGo said the route is designed mainly for individual travelers, with a strong share of business customers reflecting robust commercial demand between the two economies.

IndiGo, among the first carriers to restore China-India connectivity, plans to further expand direct service. The airline has announced a second daily nonstop route between Delhi and Guangzhou, set to begin November 10 using its A320 aircraft.