Shanghai's skies witnessed a historic moment on Sunday as China Eastern Airlines Flight MU563 departed for New Delhi, reigniting direct air connectivity between Asia's two largest economies after a five-year pause. The 248-passenger Boeing 787 Dreamliner recorded a 95% load factor, signaling strong demand for renewed people-to-people exchanges.
Economic Winds Lift Aviation Sector
As the first Chinese carrier to resume India services in 2025, CEA's move aligns with growing bilateral trade that reached $136 billion in 2024. Business travelers constituted 60% of passengers on the inaugural flight, according to airline representatives. "This route revival demonstrates our confidence in Asia's post-pandemic recovery narrative," said CEA spokesperson Zhang Wei during a tarmac interview.
Cultural Bridges at 35,000 Feet
The service resumption comes ahead of India's Diwali festival season, with many passengers being families reuniting after years of pandemic-related separation. First-time traveler Priya Sharma, an IT professional from Mumbai, told KhabarAsia: "Flying direct saves eight hours compared to Middle Eastern stopovers – time I can now spend with Shanghai-based clients."
Strategic Connectivity Expansion
Aviation analysts note the Shanghai-Delhi route serves as precursor to planned connections between Shenzhen and Bengaluru, with cargo capacity adjustments to accommodate electronics and pharmaceutical shipments. The Civil Aviation Administration of China confirms 14 weekly flights will operate by Q3 2025, potentially carrying 150,000 annual passengers.
