Archive · 12 Sep 2026
China Southern Resumes Guangzhou–Delhi Flights Amid Xi India Visit
China Southern Airlines plans to restart flights between Guangzhou and New Delhi on September 21.
The route has been closed for six years.
The airline says it will run more than 100 weekly flights on eight South Asia routes.
Other airlines have also restarted or added flights between China and India.
Air travel between the countries was disrupted after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Political and military tensions also delayed the return of some flights.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting India for the BRICS summit.
He is expected to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The flight changes are part of efforts to improve connections between the two countries.
China Southern Airlines will resume regular Guangzhou–New Delhi passenger services on September 21 after a six-year suspension.
The airline says it will operate more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in South Asia.
The services were suspended after the COVID-19 pandemic and remained halted amid India-China military tensions.
Air China, China Eastern Airlines and IndiGo have also resumed or launched direct services between India and China.
The announcement coincides with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India for the BRICS summit and talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Who
- China Southern Airlines, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are central to the report.
- What
- China Southern Airlines will resume regular passenger services between Guangzhou and New Delhi.
- When
- The flights are scheduled to restart on September 21; Xi Jinping’s India visit and meeting with Modi are taking place on Saturday.
- Where
- The route connects Guangzhou in China with New Delhi in India; the BRICS summit is being held in New Delhi.
- Why
- The resumption follows earlier suspensions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and India-China tensions, amid efforts to gradually normalize bilateral relations.
- Airline
- China Southern Airlines
- Route
- Guangzhou–New Delhi
- Restart date
- September 21
- Suspension period
- Six years
- Planned network
- More than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in South Asia
- Other services
- Air China resumed Beijing–Delhi; China Eastern Airlines resumed Kunming–Kolkata; IndiGo launched Kolkata–Shanghai and other services
- Related event
- Xi Jinping’s visit to India for the 18th BRICS Summit
