Air India to restart non-stop Delhi–Shanghai service in 2026; Mumbai route planned

Air India will operate the Delhi–Shanghai route four times a week using Boeing 787-8 aircraft.

Air India will restart its direct flights between Delhi and Shanghai from 1 February 2026, restoring a key international route that has been suspended for nearly six years. The airline had halted operations to mainland China in early 2020 following the coronavirus outbreak.

The four-times-a-week service will operate to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). Air India will deploy its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft on the route, offering 18 business class seats and 238 economy seats. Shanghai will be the 48th international destination served by the wider Air India group.

Return to China market after diplomatic reopening

The decision marks Air India’s return to China after its services were withdrawn during the pandemic period, at a time when the airline was still state-owned and facing operational and financial pressures. The Tata Group took control of the carrier in 2022.

The airline said the route reinstatement follows recent diplomatic agreements that reopened air connectivity between the two countries. Commercial flights between India and China began resuming only recently after years of pandemic-related restrictions and broader geopolitical tensions.

Additional routes planned

Air India also announced plans to introduce a non-stop Mumbai–Shanghai service in 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.

CEO and MD Campbell Wilson said the restored route carries both practical and symbolic importance, noting that Air India first launched non-stop services to mainland China in October 2000.

Resumption follows reopening by other carriers

Other airlines have already resumed operations. IndiGo restarted Kolkata–Guangzhou services on October 26 and added a Delhi–Guangzhou route on November 10. China Eastern Airlines launched direct Delhi–Shanghai flights on November 9.

(With inputs from agencies)