China Eastern Airlines will recommence direct flights between Shanghai and Delhi starting November 9, marking the end of a five-year hiatus in air connectivity between China and India. The airline will operate flights three times a week, specifically on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Direct flights between the two nations had been suspended since 2020, a period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and border tensions. The resumption of air services is viewed as a positive step towards normalizing relations between Beijing and New Delhi.
This move follows confirmation from India's Ministry of External Affairs earlier this month regarding the resumption of commercial flight operations between the two countries. The decision follows diplomatic engagements aimed at improving trade and regional cooperation.
The announcement also follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, his first trip to the country in over seven years. Discussions during the meeting focused on strengthening economic relations, with India also raising concerns about its growing trade imbalance with China. During the visit, PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed that India and China are development partners, not rivals, and discussed strengthening trade amid global tariff uncertainties.
In addition to China Eastern's restored service, IndiGo, India's largest carrier, has announced it will begin daily non-stop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou starting November 10, 2025. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport officials are reportedly encouraging more airlines to launch direct connections, including potential routes linking Guangzhou and New Delhi.
