Air India to Resume India–China Flights, Introduces New Mumbai–Shanghai Route

Air India is preparing to restart flight operations between India and China after a six-year pause, beginning with the Delhi–Shanghai route in February 2026, along with plans for a new Mumbai–Shanghai service.

Air India has announced its decision to resume direct flights between India and China, marking a significant step toward rebuilding connectivity between the two economic giants. The airline confirmed that operations between Delhi and Shanghai will restart in February 2026, while a new service connecting Mumbai and Shanghai is also in the pipeline.

Commenting on the development, Air India’s CEO & Managing Director Campbell Wilson described the route’s resumption as a symbolic and practical milestone. He emphasized that the Delhi–Shanghai service represents “a bridge between two great, ancient civilisations and modern economic powerhouses,” adding that the airline is proud to reconnect an important international air corridor supporting business, trade, healthcare, education and cultural exchange.

According to sources, the Delhi–Shanghai service will operate four times a week using Air India’s twin-aisle Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, equipped with 18 business-class beds and 238 economy seats. Although the official launch date for the Mumbai–Shanghai route has not yet been confirmed, it is expected to commence sometime in 2026. Once launched, Shanghai will become Air India’s 48th international destination.

This move comes shortly after IndiGo resumed its own India–China operations. On 26 October, IndiGo reinstated its Kolkata–Guangzhou flight, followed by a Delhi–Guangzhou service two weeks later. IndiGo resumed flights after a five-year halt, aiming to strengthen commercial, trade and tourism ties between the two nations.