India’s leading carrier, IndiGo, is eyeing the launch of non-stop flights between Delhi and Shanghai as soon as late March or early April, subject to regulatory clearance. If approved, this will mark the third direct air link between the two economic powerhouses.
This initiative signals IndiGo’s ongoing comeback to mainland China after a five-year absence. The airline made its return on October 26, 2025, with the launch of Kolkata–Guangzhou flights, becoming the first Indian airline to resume service to the Chinese mainland since 2020. It added a second route on November 11, when flight 6E 1701 touched down in Guangzhou from Delhi.
Passenger response has been robust. By February 5, 2026, the Kolkata–Guangzhou service had completed 102 trips, and the Delhi–Guangzhou route had logged 87 flights, collectively transporting nearly 54,000 travelers. Average seat occupancy throughout 2025 hovered around 85%, with business passengers accounting for the majority of bookings.
IndiGo’s CEO, Pieter Elbers, has frequently expressed optimism about the market potential, highlighting that China and India together are home to one-third of the global population. Pointing to China’s position as the world’s second-largest economy and India’s ranking as the fourth, Elbers emphasized there is “potential for many more flights and multiple carriers.” The airline is also exploring services linking other Indian cities to further destinations across China.
This aviation expansion unfolds alongside a gradual warming of diplomatic relations. On July 24, 2025, India reinstated tourist visas for Chinese nationals—its first such move since halting them in February 2020. Then, starting January 1, a new electronic Business Visa (e-B-4) for Chinese citizens came into force, permitting stays of up to six months for designated commercial purposes, although applications typically take 45 to 50 days to process.
Trade ties are also strengthening. Speaking on the matter, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong reported that bilateral commerce reached an all-time high of $155.6 billion in 2025, reflecting a 12% increase over the previous year. India’s exports to China rose by 9.7%. He attributed a notable boost in business and cultural interactions to the revival of visa issuance and air connectivity.
China’s carriers are also restoring links. On November 9, China Eastern Airlines flight MU563 took off from Shanghai Pudong bound for Delhi with 248 passengers, representing the first direct flight between mainland China and India operated by a Chinese airline in five years.
With visa policies relaxed, aircraft running at high capacity, and Shanghai likely to feature again in IndiGo’s network, air traffic between India and China is regaining momentum.
