Air India to resume flights to Shanghai after 5-year gap

Business Nov 02, 2025

After a long gap, Air India just got the green light to restart direct flights from Delhi to Shanghai. They're also waiting for approval on Mumbai-Shanghai flights, which could take off as soon as December.
This move follows IndiGo's recent launch of non-stop Kolkata-Guangzhou flights and plans for a new Delhi-Guangzhou route starting November 10, 2025.

Direct flights were once a reality

Direct flights between India and China were always super popular—sometimes packed up to 90%.
With these new routes, annual passenger numbers could jump from one million to nearly three million.
It's not just about easier travel; it's also about boosting tourism, business opportunities, and keeping more revenue within both countries instead of losing it to other international airlines.