Chinese carrier China Eastern Airlines has restarted its Shanghai–Delhi flight after five years, with the first flight operating on Sunday at 95% occupancy.
This makes it the first Chinese airline to resume direct flights to India since the long suspension.
The airline will operate three flights a week—on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The flight will depart from Delhi at 8:00 PM and reach Shanghai on Monday morning.
The return flight will leave Shanghai at 12:30 PM and arrive in Delhi at 6:00 PM.
IndiGo to Launch Delhi–Guangzhou Flights
On the same day, Flight MU 563 with 248 passengers took off from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Delhi, as reported by the Global Times.
Meanwhile, Indian airline IndiGo will start its daily Delhi–Guangzhou flights from November 10, further improving air connectivity between the two countries.
Why Are These Flights Important?
The Shanghai–Delhi route connects major economic centers in India and China.
It is expected to strengthen trade, economic cooperation, and cultural exchanges between the two nations.
Relations between India and China had sharply deteriorated after the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020, the lowest point since the 1962 war.
How Has the Situation Improved?
After multiple rounds of diplomatic and military-level talks, both countries have disengaged troops from several friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
Recently, both sides have taken steps to rebuild ties, including:
Resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
Restarting direct flight services
