China Eastern Airlines to Resume Shanghai–Delhi Flights as Air Links Between China and India Reopen

State-owned China Eastern Airlines (600115.SS) will resume flights between Shanghai and New Delhi starting November 9, the airline announced on its website on Saturday, as the two neighbors restore direct air connectivity after a five-year suspension amid signs of diplomatic thaw.

According to the airline’s online booking platform, the flights will operate three times a week — on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. China Eastern did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Earlier this month, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that commercial flights between India and China would resume after a five-year hiatus.

The announcement follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China — his first in over seven years — to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. During the visit, both sides discussed ways to improve trade ties, while Modi expressed concern over India’s growing bilateral trade deficit with China.

The foreign ministries of both India and China did not immediately comment on the resumption of Shanghai–Delhi flights.

India’s largest carrier, IndiGo (INGL.NS), had earlier announced plans to launch daily non-stop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou.

At the time, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, a state-supported facility, said it would encourage airlines to open more direct routes between Guangzhou and Delhi.

Direct air links between the two countries were suspended in 2020 following deadly military clashes along their Himalayan border, which led to a prolonged military standoff.