Air India Resumes Delhi-Shanghai Route After Six Years With Boeing 787-8

Air India has successfully resumed its non-stop flight service between New Delhi and Shanghai. The inaugural flight departed on February 1, 2026. This marks a significant milestone in India-China air connectivity after a nearly six-year suspension.

Consul General of India to Shanghai, Pratik Mathur, was the Chief Guest. He attended the inaugural ceremony at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).

A Milestone in Bilateral Connectivity

The inaugural flight carried over 230 passengers on board. The aircraft used was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

Air India will operate this resumed non-stop flight four times a week. The service features modernised cabins and enhanced onboard services. The relaunch follows the suspension of services in early 2020.

Consul General Pratik Mathur highlighted the importance of this link. He stated enhanced air connectivity is essential for trade and tourism. It will also facilitate academic and cultural exchanges.

This restored service reflects a growing demand for travel. It signals a steady recovery of cross-border mobility. The route will support commerce with the Yangtze River Delta region. This area is one of China's most economically dynamic clusters.

India's Aviation Growth and Economic Vision

During the ceremony, Consul General Mathur addressed India's economic outlook. He referenced the 'three Kartavyas' philosophy from the Union Budget 2026.

These 'Kartavyas' focus on accelerating economic growth and fulfilling people's aspirations. They also promote inclusive participation across all sectors.

Mathur specifically noted the growth opportunities in India's civil aviation sector. This includes rapid airport expansions and UDAN connectivity. Global partnerships are also driving this growth.

India's aviation market is expanding rapidly. The country is projected to need nearly 3,300 new airplanes over the next two decades.

Industry Impact and Future Outlook

This resumption by Air India is a key step toward normalizing air links. The services were paused due to pandemic and border tensions.

Other carriers like IndiGo and China Eastern have also resumed services. This indicates a broader restoration of air travel capacity.

China's civil aviation sector is also targeting significant growth. It aims to handle 810 million passenger trips in 2026. International flight volumes have recovered substantially.

Air India plans to further expand its China network. The airline intends to introduce Mumbai-Shanghai non-stop flights in 2026. This is subject to requisite regulatory approvals.

• The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner service offers 18 flat beds in Business Class. It also has 238 spacious seats in Economy Class.
• The airline appointed a General Sales Agent for mainland China in late 2025. This move strengthens its commercial presence in the market.
• The restored route is expected to benefit sectors like pharmaceuticals and technology. It will also support educational exchanges between the two nations.

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