China Southern Airlines will resume direct flights between Guangzhou and New Delhi from September 21, ending a nearly six-year suspension of the route.
The move comes ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India for the 18th BRICS Summit and marks the airline’s return to the Indian market.
China Southern to Restart Guangzhou-Delhi Route
According to the Global Times, China Southern Airlines will restart regular passenger services between Guangzhou and New Delhi on September 21. Following the addition of the route, the airline will operate more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes connecting China with South Asia.
The resumption adds to a series of developments aimed at restoring direct air connectivity between India and China.
Air India resumed flights between New Delhi and China in February 2026, nearly six years after the route was suspended. Air China followed by restarting its Beijing-Delhi service in April, while China Eastern Airlines resumed direct flights between Kunming and Kolkata on April 18.
India’s IndiGo also expanded connectivity between the two countries, launching a daily nonstop service between Kolkata and Shanghai on March 30.
The gradual restoration of direct flights comes amid efforts by India and China to improve bilateral ties and people-to-people connectivity.
Modi-Xi Meeting in Delhi
Xi Jinping is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Saturday afternoon to attend the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chinese President are also expected to hold a bilateral meeting later in the day.
Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong said on Friday that the meeting would mark the third consecutive year in which Modi and Xi have met, following their earlier meetings in Kazan and Tianjin.
Xu said China would work with India to implement the strategic guidance provided by the two leaders, strengthen communication and cooperation, and manage differences appropriately.
“China will work with India to act on the strategic guidance of the two leaders, handle the bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, step up communication, enhance cooperation, properly handle differences, and be friends enjoying good-neighborliness and partners helping each other succeed,” Xu said in a post on X.
The resumption of the Guangzhou-Delhi service is expected to further strengthen direct connectivity between the two countries as diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Beijing gathers momentum.
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