Archive · 10 Nov 2025
China Eastern Airlines Resumes Shanghai-Delhi Flights After 5-Year Hiatus
Direct flights between Shanghai and Delhi have started again after being stopped for five years.
The first flight by China Eastern Airlines took off on November 9.
Flights between India and China were stopped because of the COVID-19 pandemic and some disagreements between the countries.
Now, after leaders talked and made some agreements, the flights are back.
This is good because it helps people travel and businesses trade more easily between India and China.
Other airlines are also bringing back flights, like IndiGo flying between Kolkata and Guangzhou.
These flights are important for growing friendships and business between the two big countries.
China Eastern Airlines relaunched its direct Shanghai-Delhi flight service on November 9, ending a five-year suspension.
The resumption of flights follows a broader restart of air travel between India and China that began on October 26 with IndiGo's Kolkata-Guangzhou route.
Flight operations between the two nations had been suspended since early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Galwan Valley clash.
The Shanghai-Delhi route will operate three times weekly using Airbus A330-200 aircraft, aiming to boost people-to-people exchanges and economic cooperation.
IndiGo also plans to increase its China operations with daily flights between Delhi and Guangzhou starting November 10, focusing on rebuilding trade and tourism ties.
- Who
- China Eastern Airlines
- What
- Resumed direct commercial flights between Shanghai and Delhi
- When
- November 9, after a five-year suspension
- Where
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Delhi
- Why
- To boost people-to-people exchanges and strengthen economic and trade cooperation, marking the restoration of travel and trade links.
Reasons for Flight Suspension
Factors Enabling Resumption
Cause of Flight Suspension
Reasons for Flight Suspension
Flights were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Galwan Valley clash, implying health and geopolitical reasons.
Factors Enabling Resumption
A five-year suspension of flights was ended following renewed government engagement, confidence-building measures, and discussions on easing border frictions.
- Airline
- China Eastern Airlines
- Route
- Shanghai to Delhi
- Inaugural Flight Date
- November 9
- Flight Frequency
- Three times a week (Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays)
- Aircraft Type
- Airbus A330-200
- Departure Time (Shanghai)
- 12:50 PM
- Arrival Time (Delhi)
- 5:45 PM
- Broader Resumption Date
- October 26 (IndiGo Kolkata-Guangzhou)
