China Southern Airlines to resume Delhi-Guangzhou flights after 6-year hiatus
China Southern Airlines will resume regular passenger services on the Guangzhou-New Delhi route from September 21, marking the relaunch of its India service after a six-year suspension.
The airline announced the decision on Saturday ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India for the BRICS summit. China Southern said it will operate more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in South Asia following the restart, according to Global Times.
The move comes as India and China cautiously restore direct air connectivity after nearly six years of suspension. Recent diplomatic steps have gradually reopened bilateral links between the two countries.
Earlier this year, Air India resumed New Delhi-China flights from February 2026, nearly six years after the suspension. In April, direct air connectivity between India and China received another boost when Air China resumed its Beijing-Delhi service, marking the second route to India to resume by Chinese carriers.
The move followed China Eastern Airlines' resumption of its direct Kunming-Kolkata service on April 18.
Earlier, on March 30, IndiGo commenced its inaugural daily, nonstop service between Kolkata and Shanghai, marking another significant milestone in strengthening air connectivity between India and the People's Republic of China.
The launch built on IndiGo's recent expansion in China, including the successful reinstatement of flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou and the subsequent start of operations from Delhi.
The announcement followed the Ministry of External Affairs' (MEA) confirmation of the resumption of direct flights between India and China. Direct flights had been suspended amid the COVID-19 pandemic and tensions following the Doklam and Galwan standoffs.
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping left Beijing on Saturday for the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Xinhua reported. Xi will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi later on Saturday.
Xi's entourage includes Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Wang Yi, Chinese foreign minister and a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Xinhua reported.
According to a Xinhua report, Xi is expected to advance proposals on Global South cooperation at the BRICS summit, much as he did during the SCO Summit in Bishkek.
BRICS has emerged as a key platform for coordinating economic policy among major emerging economies. It serves as the principal forum where these nations shape a common position on global governance.
Through sustained dialogue, BRICS has become a channel for advancing the interests of the Global South within multilateral institutions. Its agenda spans development, finance, technology, trade and people-to-people exchanges.
The grouping reflects the growing economic weight and aspirations of emerging economies globally. It provides members with a platform to share experiences and address common challenges.- EndsPublished By: Akshat TrivediPublished On: Sep 12, 2026 08:47 IST
