Air travel between India and China is poised for a major revival in 2026 as direct flights between New Delhi and Shanghai are scheduled to resume and expand, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing connectivity for passengers, businesses, and tourists.
The renewed service is expected to commence early next year, with China Eastern Airlines planning to launch daily nonstop flights between Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport from January 2, 2026. These flights will restore direct connectivity on a route that had been suspended for several years, offering travellers a faster, more convenient option for travel between the two major Asian cities.
Complementing this development, Air India has also announced the resumption of its non-stop Delhi–Shanghai flights, starting February 1, 2026. The airline will operate services four times a week using its Boeing 787-8 aircraft, featuring both business and economy cabins, marking its return to mainland China after nearly six years. Plans are also underway to introduce a Mumbai–Shanghai service later in 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
These new and restored routes reflect a broader push to revive and expand air connectivity that was significantly curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions between the two nations. The return of these flights will drastically reduce travel time and eliminate the need for connecting flights through third-country hubs, a change that is expected to benefit both leisure and business travellers.
Beyond these flagship services, airlines are actively rebuilding networks: IndiGo has already started daily non-stop flights between Delhi and Guangzhou, further enhancing India–China connectivity and opening more options for passengers across both nations.
The restored air links are anticipated to have wide-ranging economic and cultural benefits. Enhanced connectivity is likely to support increased tourism, as travellers from India gain easier access to China’s urban and cultural centres, while Chinese tourists can more readily explore India’s historic and contemporary attractions. In addition, improved flight links are expected to boost trade, facilitate business travel, and strengthen educational and cultural exchanges between the two region’s populations.
Industry experts and government officials have welcomed these developments as a positive signal of renewed cooperation and engagement in the Asia-Pacific aviation sector. With these expanded air services, 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for India–China travel, potentially unlocking new opportunities in tourism, commerce, and people-to-people connectivity after a prolonged hiatus.
