Published on
November 9, 2025
India and China are reigniting their air connectivity as China Eastern Airlines resumes its Delhi to Shanghai flight service after a five-year hiatus. This significant development is not only a win for travelers but also a major step toward enhancing the economic and diplomatic relationship between the two nations. With the restart of this direct route, business exchanges, tourism, and cultural ties between India and China are set to gain new momentum, further solidifying their growing partnership.
China Eastern Airlines is set to resume its flight services between Delhi and Shanghai starting on Sunday, signaling a major step in the revival of air connectivity between India and China. This resumption comes after a hiatus of nearly five years, a period during which flight services were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and further delayed by the prolonged border standoff in eastern Ladakh. The restarting of services follows a broader effort to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The flight will depart from Delhi at 8 PM, with an early arrival in Shanghai on Monday morning. The return service from Shanghai will take off at 12:30 PM, landing in Delhi by 6 PM, and flights will operate every alternate day. This service is part of China Eastern’s strategic initiative to increase its presence in the Indian market and to cater to the growing demand for direct air travel between the two countries.
This announcement is expected to not only enhance connectivity between India and China but also facilitate stronger people-to-people ties and boost trade, tourism, and economic interactions between the two nations. India has become one of the fastest-growing economies globally, while Shanghai is considered one of the leading financial and business hubs in Eastern China. This new air link is seen as a vital bridge between two of the world’s largest and most influential economies.
With China Eastern leading the charge in the resumption of direct flights between Delhi and Shanghai, the airline is positioning itself as a key player in the growing demand for travel between the two countries. Passengers will benefit from improved connectivity, making travel easier for business executives, tourists, students, and families. The ease of travel will likely lead to a boost in tourism, as both nations are keen to promote tourism as a key area of mutual cooperation.
This renewed flight service is also in line with the strategic development plans of the two countries. It will help strengthen bilateral relations, foster cultural exchanges, and provide better access to the flourishing Eastern China region. Beyond Shanghai, this region includes important industrial and technological hubs such as Hangzhou, a leading center for artificial intelligence, and Yiwu and Keqiao, both of which are global trading and textile capitals. For India, this means a direct gateway to a part of China that plays a vital role in the global economy.
The resumption of flights follows the early steps taken by other carriers, with IndiGo, India’s largest airline, beginning daily flights from Delhi to Guangzhou on November 10. The airline had also resumed services from Kolkata to Guangzhou on October 26, further restoring connections between India and China after a long period of suspended operations.
The suspension of air services between India and China was initially a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which grounded flights globally. However, the situation was compounded by political tensions following the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020, which further strained relations between the two nations. The clashes led to a military standoff and increased border tensions, especially in the eastern Ladakh region. This period saw a complete freeze on diplomatic engagements and international travel, with no clear timelines for resuming normal relations.
In 2024, after a series of diplomatic talks and military disengagements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), both India and China took measures to ease the tensions, leading to a gradual thaw in their relations. A significant step in this process was the disengagement pact signed in October 2024, which addressed two remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh, Depsang and Demchok. Following this, bilateral discussions resumed, and the process of rebuilding the relationship took root.
The resumption of flights marks the beginning of a new phase in India-China relations, with both countries now focusing on areas of mutual benefit, including trade, technology, tourism, and academic exchanges. The Chinese government’s decision to reopen its air links with India is part of a broader strategy to strengthen economic ties with India, which has witnessed significant growth in recent years, and to enhance its position as a regional and global leader.
The resumption of flight services comes in the wake of several other significant steps taken to normalize ties. Earlier in 2024, India and China resumed the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a religious pilgrimage that had been suspended during the border standoff. This move was seen as a goodwill gesture, aimed at restoring trust and promoting people-to-people exchanges. The opening of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra was widely welcomed, and it signaled the desire for improved cultural and religious exchanges between the two nations.
Additionally, the decision to restart air services between India and China is seen as a reflection of the countries’ willingness to move past past conflicts and focus on creating a more stable, cooperative future. By ensuring that their diplomatic efforts lead to tangible results, both India and China aim to send a strong message to the international community about their shared interest in promoting peace, stability, and mutual growth in the region.
In the coming months, both China and India are likely to see an increase in travel and business exchanges as a result of this resumed air connectivity. Business leaders and entrepreneurs will benefit from the greater ease of access to each other’s markets, and the tourism sector is also expected to benefit from the influx of travelers eager to explore both countries’ rich cultural and historical offerings. For Chinese tourists, India’s historical sites, vibrant cities, and spiritual offerings are expected to remain key attractions, while Indian tourists will be drawn to China’s bustling metropolitan centers, historic landmarks, and cultural experiences.
China Eastern Airlines’ resumption of the Delhi to Shanghai flight service after five years marks a significant step in revitalizing direct air connectivity between India and China, boosting economic ties and fostering diplomatic relations.
The restoration of flight services is a welcome sign of renewed optimism in India-China relations, signaling that the two countries are moving forward in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect, overcoming past challenges for the benefit of their people and the global community.
