The logo of China Eastern Airlines is pictured at China Eastern Airlines Headquarters in Shanghai, China, March 21, 2023. Photo: REUTERS
State-backed China Eastern Airlines 600115.SS will resume Shanghai-Delhi flights from November 9, the airline’s website showed on Saturday, as China and India resume direct air links amid a diplomatic thaw after a five-year freeze.
The flights will operate three times a week on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, the airline’s online ticket sales platform showed. China Eastern Airlines did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
Read: Direct flights restart between India, China after five-year suspension
India’s foreign ministry said earlier this month that commercial flights between the two neighbouring countries would restart after a five-year freeze.
The announcement followed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to China in over seven years, for a summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation regional security bloc. The two sides discussed ways to improve trade ties, while Modi raised concerns about India’s burgeoning bilateral trade deficit.
Read more: India, China agree to resume direct flights
India and China’s foreign ministries did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the Shanghai-Delhi flights.
India’s largest carrier, IndiGo INGL.NS, previously announced it would start daily non-stop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou.
State-backed Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport said at the time of the IndiGo announcement that it would encourage airlines to open more direct routes, such as between Guangzhou and Delhi.
The two countries suspended direct air links in 2020 after deadly troop clashes along their Himalayan border led to a prolonged military standoff.
