China Southern Airlines will restart regular passenger flights on the Guangzhou-New Delhi route from September 21, ending a six-year suspension. The resumption coincides with Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India for the BRICS summit, marking a significant step in restoring air connectivity between the two countries, according to livemint.com.
The airline plans to operate more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in South Asia, with the Guangzhou-New Delhi service being a key addition. This move follows the gradual reopening of international air travel routes disrupted by geopolitical tensions and the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement was made ahead of the BRICS summit, highlighting the strategic timing of the service restoration, livemint.com reported.
The return of China Southern Airlines to the India market reflects broader efforts to normalize bilateral relations and boost economic and people-to-people exchanges. The airline's expanded presence in South Asia is expected to enhance trade and tourism between China and India. This development aligns with similar moves by other carriers to restore suspended routes, underscoring the importance of air connectivity in regional diplomacy, per livemint.com.
China Southern Airlines' first flight on the Guangzhou-New Delhi route is scheduled for September 21, 2026. The airline's expanded schedule will contribute to over 100 weekly flights across South Asia, reinforcing the region's aviation network ahead of the BRICS summit, livemint.com confirmed.