Archive · 9 Nov 2025
China Eastern Launches Shanghai-Delhi Flights with High Occupancy
Imagine India and China, two big countries that stopped flying directly to each other for five years.
This was because of a sickness called COVID-19 and also because of a disagreement at their border.
Now, they are starting to fly again!
A Chinese airline called China Eastern just started a flight from Shanghai to Delhi, and it was almost full with people.
This is the first Chinese airline to fly directly to India in a long time.
They plan to add more flights and even new routes because people want to travel between the countries.
Flying again helps trade and cultures connect, and it's a good sign for how the countries are getting along better after some difficult times.
This flight is like a bridge helping people and businesses connect once more.
China Eastern Airlines launched its Shanghai-Delhi direct flight service with 95% occupancy.
This marks the first time a mainland Chinese carrier has resumed direct passenger flights to India after a five-year suspension.
The flight hiatus began in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was prolonged by a military standoff at the border.
The Shanghai-Delhi route is considered a crucial economic corridor aimed at enhancing trade, economic, and cultural exchanges.
China Eastern plans to increase flight frequencies and potentially resume other routes, citing market demand.
- Who
- China Eastern Airlines
- What
- Launched direct passenger flights between Shanghai and Delhi with 95% occupancy, becoming the first mainland Chinese carrier this year to resume such services after a five-year gap.
- When
- The flight launched on Sunday, with the hiatus beginning in 2020. The resumption of flights between India and China's mainland began on October 26.
- Where
- Shanghai-Delhi route, China and India.
- Why
- To boost exchanges in trade, economy, and culture, and to normalize bilateral relations following a disengagement pact and subsequent diplomatic efforts.
Bilateral Relations
Economic and Cultural Exchange
Impact of Border Standoff
Bilateral Relations
Bilateral relations were severely strained, reaching their lowest point since 1962 after the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020. Troop disengagement from friction points along the Line of Actual Control, finalized in October last year, was a prerequisite for restoring normalcy.
Economic and Cultural Exchange
Despite past tensions, a disengagement pact and subsequent high-level meetings have paved the way for rebuilding engagement, including the restoration of vital flight services and cultural exchanges like the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Significance of Flight Resumption
Bilateral Relations
The resumption of direct flights, after a five-year hiatus due to the pandemic and border issues, is a critical step in stabilizing and normalizing ties between the two nations.
Economic and Cultural Exchange
The Shanghai-Delhi route is viewed as a key economic corridor, expected to significantly boost trade, economic, and cultural exchanges between the two major economic centers.
- Airline
- China Eastern Airlines
- New Route
- Shanghai-Delhi
- Launch Date
- Sunday
- Initial Occupancy
- 95%
- Frequency
- Three times a week (Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays)
- Aircraft Type
- Airbus A330
- Previous Suspension Duration
- Five years (since 2020)
- Planned Future Routes
- Resumption of Kunming-Kolkata, launch of Shanghai-Mumbai
Sources
Direct flights have restarted but India-China ties will remain fragile
China Eastern to commence Delhi to Shanghai flight from Sunday
China Eastern to resume flights to India from Sunday
It’s the year(end) of the dragon for travel sector
China Eastern launches Shanghai-Delhi flight with near full capacity
