Air India Revives Shanghai-Delhi Direct Flight Route After Six-Year Suspension
In a significant development for international air travel, Air India has officially resumed its direct flight services between Shanghai and New Delhi. This move comes after a prolonged hiatus of approximately six years, marking a pivotal step in restoring and strengthening air connectivity between India and China.
Inaugural Flight Departs with Strong Passenger Load
The inaugural flight on this revived route took off from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, carrying more than 230 passengers aboard a state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. According to a press release issued by the Indian Consulate in Shanghai, this resumption represents a major milestone in normalizing bilateral air links that were initially suspended in early 2020.
The suspension was primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing border tensions, which had severely impacted travel and exchange between the two neighboring nations. The Consul General of India in Shanghai, Pratik Mathur, personally saw off the passengers on this historic flight, emphasizing the importance of this reconnection.
Enhanced Connectivity for Trade, Tourism, and Cultural Exchange
Speaking at the event, Mathur highlighted that the resumption of direct flights is a tangible expression of renewed momentum in India-China engagement. "Enhanced air connectivity is essential for facilitating trade, tourism, academic exchanges, and people-to-people contacts, particularly between India and East China," he stated. "We are pleased to see Air India restoring this important link."
Air India will operate this route four times a week using its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, which feature modernized cabins and enhanced on-board services. This restored service is expected to support:
- Commercial and trade exchanges
- Educational and academic collaborations
- Cultural and tourism initiatives
- People-to-people contacts between India and the Yangtze River Delta region
The Yangtze River Delta is one of China's most economically dynamic clusters, making this air link strategically valuable for bilateral cooperation.
Broader Context of India-China Relations Normalization
The resumption of Air India's Shanghai-Delhi flights is part of a broader trend toward normalizing India-China relations. Key developments include:
- Flight Resumptions: India and China resumed flights between various cities in October of the previous year. IndiGo operates flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou and Delhi to Guangzhou, while China Eastern resumed Shanghai-Delhi flights in November 2025.
- Diplomatic Engagements: The normalization process has been supported by high-level meetings, including two summits between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2024 and 2025.
- Visa and Travel Measures: In July, India resumed granting tourist visas to Chinese nationals, after a suspension following the military stand-off along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh.
- People-Centric Initiatives: Both countries have initiated steps like resuming the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and facilitating visas to reset ties.
The Consulate General of India in Shanghai has reiterated its commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen connectivity and deepen cooperation across trade, investment, tourism, education, and cultural exchanges. This flight resumption is seen as a crucial enabler for fostering greater bilateral engagement in the post-pandemic era.
