Archive · 18 Nov 2025
Air India Resumes India-China Flights in 2026
Air India is starting to fly to China again!
From February 1, 2026, they will have direct flights from Delhi to Shanghai, which they haven't done in almost six years.
They stopped because of the COVID-19 pandemic and some problems between India and China.
Now, they've agreed to start flying again.
Air India will fly this route four times a week and use big, comfortable planes.
Later in 2026, they plan to start flying from Mumbai to Shanghai too.
This is great because it makes it easier for people to travel and for businesses to connect between the two countries.
Air India will restart direct flights between Delhi and Shanghai on February 1, 2026
This marks the airline's return to mainland China after nearly six years
Flights will operate four times weekly using Boeing 787-8 aircraft
Air India plans to introduce non-stop flights between Mumbai and Shanghai later in 2026
Resumption follows recent India-China diplomatic agreements to restore air links
- Who
- Air India
- What
- Resuming non-stop flights to mainland China after nearly a six-year hiatus
- When
- February 1, 2026 for the Delhi-Shanghai route; additional Mumbai-Shanghai route planned for later in 2026
- Where
- Delhi and Shanghai, China
- Why
- Following recent India-China diplomatic agreements to restore air links, aiming to boost exchanges in business, trade, healthcare, education, and culture
Indian Aviation Industry
Chinese Aviation Industry
Market Share and Connectivity
Indian Aviation Industry
Indian carriers like Air India and IndiGo are increasing their direct flight offerings to China.
Chinese Aviation Industry
While IndiGo has resumed flights to Guangzhou, Air India is restarting services to Shanghai, aiming to restore connectivity that was lost.
- Airline
- Air India
- Route Resuming
- Delhi to Shanghai
- Resumption Date
- February 1, 2026
- Frequency
- Four times a week
- Aircraft
- Boeing 787-8
- Future Route Planned
- Mumbai to Shanghai (in 2026)
- Suspension Reason
- COVID-19 pandemic and India-China diplomatic agreements restored air links.
- Other Indian Airline Activity
- IndiGo has commenced daily, non-stop flights between Delhi and Guangzhou.
Sources
After six years, Air India will resume flights to China in February 2026
Air India to resume Delhi-Shanghai flights from Feb 1, 2026
Air India third airline to resume direct flights between India, mainland China; announces Delhi-Shanghai service from February 1
Air India to resume Delhi-Shanghai flights from February 1, 2026 after nearly six years - Telegraph India
Air India to resume non-stop flights to China on Delhi-Shanghai route from February 2026
Air India To Resume Non-Stop Flights Between Delhi, Shanghai From Feb 2026
Air India To Resume Delhi-China Flights From February 2026, Plans To Resume Mumbai-Shanghai Later
Air India to resume non-stop flights from Delhi to Shanghai from next year; check exact date, other details here
Air India to resume flights to Shanghai from Feb 2026
Air India To Resume Flights from Delhi to Shanghai - Check When it's starting
