Air India will โฃresume flights to China this week, ending a โnearly six-year suspension of services triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions. The frist โฃflight, AI306, is scheduled to depart from Delhi for Shanghai โคon Thursday, February 29th, according to an Air India statement.
The resumption ofโ direct flights โmarks a critically important step in strengthening ties between India and China, facilitating travelโฃ for business, tourism, and the Indianโค diaspora. The halt in flights impacted trade and people-to-people exchanges; restoring connectivity addressesโข growing demand andโ offersโ a more convenient travel option than currentโ indirect routes. Air India plans to operate weekly flights โฃto Shanghaiโ and Guangzhou, wiht potentialโฃ expansion based on demand and regulatory approvals.
Air India suspended flights to China in January 2020 following the outbreak of COVID-19. Restrictions imposed by both โcountries throughout the pandemic prevented aโ swift return to service. While some airlines continued limited operations, direct flights remained largelyโข absent.
The airline will initiallyโค operate weekly flights -โค AI306 Delhiโ to โShanghai every Thursday and AI307 Shanghai to Delhi โคevery friday. AI308 Delhi to Guangzhou will operate every Saturday, โwith AI309 Guangzhou to Delhi โขon Sundays. “With the easing of travel restrictions, we are delighted to resume direct connectivity between India and China,” said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief โฃCommercial Officer ofโ Air India. “These flightsโค will not only cater to theโฃ significant demand for travel between the two countries but also contribute to fostering โฃstronger economic and cultural ties.”
