In a pivotal move signaling warming ties between India and China, China Eastern Airlines will resume direct round-trip flights between Shanghai and New Delhi starting November 9, 2025. The decision follows an agreement reached during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin in August 2025, ending a five-year suspension of direct air links between the two nations. The flights, operating every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, mark a significant step toward restoring bilateral connectivity disrupted by geopolitical tensions.

The outbound flight from Shanghai’s Pudong Airport will depart at 12:50 PM, arriving at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 5:45 PM local time. The return leg will leave Delhi at 7:55 PM, landing in Shanghai at 4:10 AM the following day. China Eastern has already commenced ticket sales for the route, anticipating strong demand from business travelers, students, and tourists eager to reconnect the two economic powerhouses. The schedule is designed to facilitate seamless travel, aligning with India’s growing role as a global hub and China’s economic outreach.

This development follows IndiGo’s announcement earlier in October 2025 of daily flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou starting October 26, with plans for Delhi-Guangzhou services in the pipeline. The resumption of these routes reflects a broader thaw in India-China relations, strained since the 2020 border clashes. Direct flights are expected to boost trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges, particularly in tech and manufacturing hubs like Delhi and Shanghai, which share deep economic ties.

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The relaunch of air connectivity underscores a mutual commitment to diplomacy and economic cooperation, as both nations navigate a complex geopolitical landscape. With China Eastern’s strategic move and IndiGo’s expansion, travelers can anticipate enhanced access and convenience, fostering stronger people-to-people connections. As tickets go on sale, the skies between India and China are poised to buzz with renewed activity, heralding a new chapter in bilateral relations.

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