Air India on Sunday marked the resumption of its non-stop Delhi–Shanghai service with an inaugural ceremony at Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport, reopening a key air link between India and China after a gap of nearly six years.
India’s Consul General in Shanghai, Pratik Mathur, attended the event as the Chief Guest. To commemorate the milestone, the Consul General handed over the first boarding passes to passengers Jaiswal and Lai, symbolically flagging off the restarted service.
Speaking on the occasion, Mathur said the revival of the direct air connection would significantly strengthen people-to-people ties and provide fresh momentum to business, tourism and trade.
He noted that improved connectivity plays a vital role in deepening bilateral engagement and facilitating smoother movement of travellers.
Referring to the “three Kartavyas” philosophy highlighted in the Union Budget 2026, the Consul General underlined the growth opportunities emerging from India’s expanding economy and rapidly developing civil aviation sector. He highlighted India’s ongoing airport expansion, the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, and growing global aviation partnerships as key drivers shaping the future of air travel and connectivity.
The resumed Delhi–Shanghai flight is expected to benefit travellers, businesses, and the wider aviation ecosystem, reinforcing India’s efforts to enhance international connectivity and global engagement.
