China Eastern Airlines (MU) will resume its operations in India with direct flights between Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), New Delhi, starting November 9, 2025. This marks the first direct flight by a Chinese carrier to India after a five-year suspension.
In response to growing demand from the Indian market, the airline will increase frequency from three to five weekly flights beginning January 2, 2026.
InterGlobe Air Transport, the exclusive General Sales Agent (GSA) for China Eastern Airlines in India for over two decades, manages all the airline’s commercial and operational functions, including sales, marketing, ticketing, and support, and is committed to leveraging its extensive network to ensure the continued success of this strategic route.
The flight from Delhi, MU564, will depart at 19:55, arriving in Shanghai at 04:10 the following day. The return flight, MU563, will depart from Shanghai Pudong at 12:50 PM and arrive in New Delhi at 17:45 local time. Services will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, using an Airbus A330-200 wide-body aircraft offering 17 lie-flat MINPRO business-class seats and 245 economy-class seats.
The Shanghai–Delhi route serves as a vital air corridor connecting Shanghai, China’s economic, financial, and trade hub, with Delhi, India’s political, economic, and cultural center. The enhanced frequency is expected to strengthen further bilateral exchanges in trade, tourism, education, culture, and technology, underscoring the strategic importance of this connection.
This development highlights China Eastern Airlines’ renewed commitment to deepening air connectivity between the two nations, supported by strong engagement from its trade partners. The carrier also plans to expand its India network with future routes including Kunming–Kolkata and Shanghai Pudong–Mumbai, offering greater travel options for Indian travellers.
With Shanghai Pudong International Airport serving as one of Asia’s premier aviation hubs, passengers will enjoy seamless onward connections to major destinations across mainland China, North America, Japan, South Korea, and Europe.
