By Kavita Mistry 
China Eastern Airlines has announced a major expansion of its operations in India with the decision to increase the frequency of its direct flights between Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, from three to five flights per week, effective January 2, 2026.
The announcement follows a sharp rise in demand from both leisure and business travellers, underscoring the growing significance of the Shanghai–Delhi route as a vital air corridor linking two of Asia’s most dynamic cities. The enhanced schedule will see flights operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, offering greater flexibility and convenience for travellers.
The MU564 flight will depart from Delhi at 19:55 hrs, arriving in Shanghai at 04:10 hrs the following day. The return service, MU563, will depart Shanghai Pudong at 12:50 hrs, arriving in New Delhi at 17:45 hrs (local time). These flights will be operated by Airbus A330-200 wide-body aircraft, featuring 17 lie-flat MINPRO business-class seats and 245 economy-class seats, ensuring comfort for both premium and leisure travellers.
In India, InterGlobe Air Transport (IGAT), the exclusive General Sales Agent (GSA) for China Eastern Airlines for over two decades, oversees all commercial and operational functions including sales, marketing, ticketing, and customer support. IGAT’s established presence and network will continue to drive awareness and performance for this strategically significant route.
The Shanghai–Delhi route holds immense importance as it connects Shanghai, China’s leading financial and commercial hub, with New Delhi, India’s political and cultural capital. The additional frequencies are expected to further strengthen bilateral ties in trade, tourism, education, and technology, contributing to deeper people-to-people exchanges.
This expansion forms part of China Eastern Airlines’ broader strategy to enhance connectivity between India and China. The carrier is also evaluating the launch of additional routes such as Kunming–Kolkata and Shanghai Pudong–Mumbai to meet the growing travel demand.
China Eastern Airlines will resume its Shanghai–Delhi service on November 9, 2025, after a five-year pause. With Shanghai Pudong serving as a major international hub, passengers will benefit from seamless onward connections to destinations across mainland China, North America, Japan, South Korea, and Europe.
