China Southern Airlines resumes Guangzhou-Delhi flights from 21 September
Synopsis
China Southern Airlines will restart Guangzhou-Delhi flights from 21 September — the sixth major India-China air route restored in 2026 alone. The timing, days before a Modi-Xi bilateral at the BRICS Summit, underscores a practical thaw between the two nations even as border tensions remain officially unresolved.
Key Takeaways
China Southern Airlines resumes Guangzhou-New Delhi flights from 21 September 2026 after a six-year suspension.
The airline will operate over 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in the region.
This is the sixth major India-China route restoration in 2026, following moves by Air India , IndiGo , Air China , and China Eastern .
President Xi Jinping arrived in India for the 18th BRICS Summit — his first visit in nearly seven years .
A Modi-Xi bilateral meeting is expected on the sidelines of the summit on 13 September .
China Southern Airlines has announced the resumption of regular flights between Guangzhou and New Delhi from 21 September 2026, ending a six-year suspension of its India service. The announcement comes just days ahead of the high-stakes bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday.
Scale of China Southern's regional operations
The airline stated it will operate more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in the broader region, making the Guangzhou-Delhi leg part of a wider Asia-Pacific push. The India route had been dormant since 2020, when pandemic restrictions and geopolitical tensions froze most direct air links between the two countries.
India-China air connectivity rebuilds steadily
The China Southern announcement is the latest in a string of service restorations that have gathered pace through 2026. Air India brought back its New Delhi-China flights in February. China Eastern Airlines restored its Kunming-Kolkata route on 18 April, followed by Air China resuming its Beijing-Delhi service later that month. IndiGo launched daily nonstop Kolkata-Shanghai flights on 30 March, building on the daily New Delhi-Guangzhou service it started in November 2025.
Taken together, these moves represent the most significant rebuild of direct India-China air connectivity since the pandemic and the 2020 Galwan clashes severed most bilateral travel links.
Xi Jinping's visit and BRICS backdrop
Chinese President Xi Jinping departed for India earlier on 12 September to attend the two-day BRICS Summit, marking his first visit to the country in nearly seven years. China's Foreign Ministry confirmed his participation on Thursday, stating that Xi would attend at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi from 12 to 13 September.
A bilateral meeting between Modi and Xi is reportedly expected on the sidelines of the summit. The meeting holds significance as both nations continue efforts to stabilise ties following the deadly Galwan Valley clashes of June 2020. India has repeatedly underlined that maintaining peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) remains a prerequisite for broader progress in the relationship.
Why the aviation resumptions matter
The restoration of direct flights is widely viewed as a barometer of the broader diplomatic thaw. Business travel and tourism between India and China — two of Asia's largest economies — were severely curtailed for years after the border standoff. The growing number of direct routes suggests a practical normalisation even as core disputes remain unresolved. Notably, this is the sixth major route restoration between the two countries in 2026 alone.
Aviation analysts will be watching whether additional carriers follow suit in the coming months, particularly on routes connecting southern and eastern Indian cities with Chinese business hubs beyond Beijing and Shanghai.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will China Southern Airlines resume Guangzhou-Delhi flights?
China Southern Airlines will resume regular Guangzhou-New Delhi flights from 21 September 2026. The route had been suspended for six years following pandemic-era restrictions and bilateral tensions.
Why is the flight resumption significant?
It is the sixth major India-China air route restored in 2026, signalling a practical normalisation of travel ties between the two nations. The timing also coincides with the Modi-Xi bilateral meeting at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Which other airlines have resumed India-China flights in 2026?
Air India restarted New Delhi-China services in February. China Eastern restored Kunming-Kolkata on 18 April. Air China resumed Beijing-Delhi in April. IndiGo launched daily Kolkata-Shanghai flights on 30 March, adding to its New Delhi-Guangzhou route started in November 2025.
What is the BRICS Summit 2026 and why does it matter for India-China ties?
The 18th BRICS Summit is a two-day event hosted by India in New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026. President Xi Jinping's attendance marks his first visit to India in nearly seven years, with a bilateral meeting with PM Modi expected on the sidelines.
How have India-China relations evolved since the 2020 Galwan clashes?
Both nations have been working to stabilise ties since the deadly Galwan Valley standoff of June 2020. India has consistently maintained that peace along the Line of Actual Control is a prerequisite for broader bilateral progress. The resumption of flights and high-level meetings suggest a cautious diplomatic thaw.
