Chinese Airline Launches Shanghai-Delhi Flights from Nov 9 — See Schedule
China Eastern Airlines is set to resume direct flights between Shanghai and Delhi starting on November 9. This announcement marks the end of a five-year hiatus in services due to diplomatic tensions arising from border issues in 2020.
Shanghai-Delhi Flight Schedule
The airline will initially operate three flights per week, specifically on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Here are the key details for the flight schedules:
- Flight MU564: Departs from Delhi at 7:55 PM, arriving in Shanghai at 4:10 AM the following day.
- Flight MU563: Leaves Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 12:50 PM, landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi at 5:45 PM local time.
Significance of the Route Resumption
The restoration of these flights coincides with renewed diplomatic discussions. Just a month ago, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin.
Both China Eastern Airlines and IndiGo Airlines are at the forefront of this revival in air travel between India and China. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, flights were suspended in 2020, and the ongoing border tension further delayed their resumption.
IndiGo’s Plans
Complementing China Eastern’s announcement, IndiGo has also revealed plans to restart services to Mainland China. Starting on October 26, it will operate daily, non-stop flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou.
Furthermore, IndiGo has intentions to introduce direct flights from Delhi to Guangzhou, pending regulatory approvals. The airline will utilize Airbus A320 neo aircraft for these routes.
IndiGo’s CEO, Pieter Elbers, expressed optimism about the resumption of flights, stating the airline is proud to reconnect India and mainland China from two significant points.
This strategic move by both airlines reflects a positive step toward enhancing connectivity and rebuilding relationships between the two nations.
