NEW DELHI- China saw a strategic development on Monday as Air India (AI) appointed The Aviation Management Limited, a TAM Group company, as its General Sales Agent for passenger sales across mainland China. The appointment, effective December 1, 2025, marks a major step in strengthening the airline’s position in one of Asia’s fastest-growing travel markets.
The new partnership is set to improve accessibility for travellers and trade partners across major Chinese cities, enhancing visibility for Air India’s expanding route network from its hubs in Delhi and Mumbai.
Air India China Strategy
Air India’s selection of TAM Group comes ahead of the carrier’s planned resumption of non-stop Delhi–Shanghai (PVG) services from February 1, 2026.
These flights will reconnect two major commercial centres after nearly six years and will later be complemented by a proposed Mumbai–Shanghai route in 2026, pending regulatory approval.
The airline confirmed that TAM Group will oversee reservations, ticketing, marketing, and wider passenger sales support throughout mainland China. These functions are expected to streamline distribution processes and boost customer outreach in a region where demand has grown steadily since the reopening of international travel.
Air India stated that TAM’s established market capabilities align with its broader plan to rebuild and expand its international footprint.
With the upcoming return of the Delhi–Shanghai non-stop service, Air India aims to restore an important corridor for business and academic exchanges.
The route has historically served strong demand from the technology, pharmaceutical, and education sectors, and the renewed connectivity is expected to support increased bilateral travel.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Air_india_b777-300er_vt-alj_arp.jpg
Strategic Growth Push
Air India is currently upgrading its long-haul fleet, including the induction of new wide-body aircraft, refreshed cabins, and enhanced onboard amenities.
These improvements aim to deliver a more consistent passenger experience on Asian, European, and North American routes.
The carrier also highlighted that smoother booking processes through TAM Group will help position Air India more competitively in the Chinese market.
The airline already operates several non-stop routes to major Asian destinations and offers one-stop access to Europe, the United States, and Canada through its primary hubs.
The strengthened presence in China fits within its long-term strategy to rebuild global relevance and expand market share across key international sectors.
CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58290529
Network Development
The planned resumption of China services comes as travel patterns between India and East Asia continue to diversify. While pre-pandemic traffic was heavily business-driven, Air India notes that leisure, education, and SME corporate travel segments have shown consistent growth.
The airline believes that improved distribution capabilities in China will enable stronger engagement with these segments and support more predictable traffic flows.
Air India’s partnership with TAM Group also reflects the airline’s broader shift toward professionalised global sales operations.
It has recently expanded or restructured distribution agreements in markets such as the United States, Southeast Asia, and Europe, signalling a systematic approach to rebuilding commercial networks.
Bottom Line
Air India’s appointment of TAM Group as its mainland China GSA represents a focused step in rebuilding its China network ahead of the Delhi–Shanghai relaunch on February 1, 2026.
The move combines upgraded fleet capabilities, renewed non-stop connectivity, and enhanced regional sales support, strengthening the carrier’s visibility in one of Asia’s most competitive aviation markets.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
