Air India Set to Restart Flights to China in February 2026 After Long Hiatus

Post by : Raina Nasser

On Monday, Air India declared its intention to restart flights from New Delhi to China in February 2026, marking a significant return nearly six years after operations were halted. The airline also plans to establish a new route connecting Mumbai and Shanghai next year, pending necessary regulatory approvals.

This announcement comes as part of broader efforts to renew aviation ties between India and China, with Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in China recently reinstating services between the two nations. Air India noted that this decision reflects enhanced diplomatic engagement and growing trade collaboration.

According to the airline, “The planned resumption of services to Shanghai aligns with recent diplomatic agreements between India and China that reinstated air connectivity interrupted in early 2020.”

This decision follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China earlier this year, his first in seven years, for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). During this visit, Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored their roles as development partners and talked about enhancing trade relations amid global tariff challenges.

The reinstatement of direct flights is anticipated to boost business, tourism, and cultural ties between these two significant Asian nations, aiding bilateral trade that has faced numerous challenges recently. Travel experts have indicated that improved air connectivity will create vital opportunities for Indian businesses to penetrate the Chinese market and vice versa.

The planned return of Air India’s services is part of a larger strategy aimed at expanding international flight connections. Officials have emphasized that passenger safety, adherence to regulations, and operational efficiency will be prioritized as services recommence.

Analysts view this initiative as a hopeful indication of regional diplomacy, highlighting mutual interests in overcoming historical tensions to prioritize economic collaboration and development objectives.

As commercial and diplomatic avenues reopen, travelers can expect enhanced connectivity between the two nations by early 2026, marking a pivotal moment in the history of civil aviation between India and China.