China Eastern Airlines is bringing back direct flights between Shanghai and New Delhi starting November 9, 2025, marking a major milestone in the gradual restoration of air connectivity between India and China.
Direct Flights Between India and China
The decision to resume the direct flight between India and China comes after a long five-year pause and follows discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin earlier this year.
The return of these flights signals not just convenience for travellers, but also a thaw in bilateral travel ties that had been disrupted since 2020.
Flight Schedule: Shanghai–New Delhi
The airline will operate three weekly round-trip flights, on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, between Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
| Flight No. | Route | Departure | Arrival | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MU563 | Shanghai (PVG) → New Delhi (DEL) | 12:50 PM | 5:45 PM | Wed, Sat, Sun |
| MU564 | New Delhi (DEL) → Shanghai (PVG) | 7:55 PM | 4:10 AM | Wed, Sat, Sun |
Tickets for these flights are already on sale through the airline’s official website and travel partners.
Why It Matters
For business travellers, students, and families with ties in both countries, this route offers a much-needed alternative to connecting flights through Southeast Asia or the Middle East. Direct connectivity also boosts tourism and trade links at a time when both economies are gradually reopening to international travel.
Growing India-China Air Links
In a parallel development, IndiGo has announced the launch of daily flights connecting Kolkata to Guangzhou starting October 26, 2025. They will soon add daily direct flights from Delhi to Guangzhou as well, beginning November 10.
IndiGo’s services utilise Airbus A320neo aircraft, reinforcing India’s expanding air connectivity with China after the hiatus.
| Flight No | Departure | Dep. Time | To | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6E 1703 | Kolkata | 22:00 | Guangzhou | 04:05 |
| 6E 1704 | Guangzhou | 05:35 | Kolkata | 07:50 |
| 6E 1701 | Delhi | 9:45 pm | Guangzhou | 4:50 am (+1) |
| 6E1702 | Guangzhou | 5:50 am | Delhi | 10:10 am |
The gradual reintroduction of direct air routes suggests that more India-China connections could be reinstated in 2026.
In Summary
- Airline: China Eastern Airlines
- Route: Shanghai – New Delhi – Shanghai
- Start Date: November 9, 2025
- Frequency: 3 times a week (Wed, Sat, Sun)
- Booking: Available now on official channels
Overall, the return of these direct flights will be a welcome relief after years of limited air connectivity and disrupted travel caused by diplomatic and pandemic-related factors. It’s a clear sign of thawing relations and a positive step for travellers and economies on both sides.
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