Direct Delhi-Guangzhou Flights To Return After Six Years Following Modi-Xi BRICS Summit Meeting

Direct passenger flights between New Delhi and Guangzhou in China are set to resume after a six-year hiatus, with China Southern Airlines announcing the restart of regular services on the route from September 21. The development comes at a significant moment in India-China relations, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. The restoration of direct air connectivity is expected to provide passengers with a more convenient travel option between the two countries after years of disrupted services.

China Southern Airlines said it would resume regular passenger operations on the Guangzhou-New Delhi route beginning September 21. The announcement marks the return of direct flights between the two cities after the service remained suspended for six years. The restart will reconnect Guangzhou, a major commercial centre in southern China, with the Indian capital, one of the country’s principal international aviation hubs. For passengers, the direct service is expected to reduce reliance on connecting routes through other cities when travelling between India and China.

The resumption of the route is particularly notable because direct air links between India and China were disrupted during a prolonged period of strained bilateral relations. Travel connectivity between the two countries was affected after relations deteriorated significantly, particularly following the border tensions that emerged in 2020. The absence of regular direct passenger flights meant travellers between the two countries had to depend on alternative arrangements, including connecting services, making journeys longer and potentially less convenient.

Also Read: India Pushes BRICS Nations to Trade in Local Currencies, Link Payment Systems

The announcement by China Southern Airlines comes as New Delhi and Beijing are showing renewed interest in improving bilateral engagement. Modi and Xi’s meeting at the BRICS summit provides an important diplomatic backdrop to the restoration of the air route. While the resumption of flights is an aviation decision by the airline, the return of direct connectivity is also a practical development that can facilitate greater movement between the two countries. Improved passenger links can support travel for business, tourism and other purposes as India-China ties undergo a period of renewed engagement.

Guangzhou is a major economic and industrial centre in China and has strong links to international commerce, while New Delhi serves as a key gateway for international travel into and out of India. A direct connection between the two cities can therefore be useful for passengers with business and personal travel requirements. It can also make travel more straightforward for people who previously had to rely on connecting flights. The six-year suspension of the route had created a gap in direct connectivity, and its scheduled restoration represents an important step towards rebuilding regular aviation links between India and China.

The return of direct flights also comes amid broader efforts to restore practical exchanges between the two countries. India and China have experienced considerable diplomatic and security tensions in recent years, but both sides have also taken steps towards stabilising ties and maintaining engagement. Air connectivity is one of the practical areas that can benefit from improved relations, as regular passenger services can facilitate greater interaction between people and businesses. The Guangzhou-New Delhi route is consequently significant not only for travellers but also as an indicator of expanding opportunities for direct movement between the two countries.

With China Southern Airlines scheduled to restart regular passenger services on September 21, direct flights between Guangzhou and New Delhi will once again become available after a six-year break. The announcement follows the meeting between Modi and Xi at the BRICS summit and comes at a time when bilateral engagement is showing signs of improvement. The restoration of the route is expected to provide a more convenient travel option while strengthening direct air connectivity between India and China. As regular services return, the route could support increased movement of passengers and contribute to the gradual rebuilding of practical links between the two neighbouring countries.

Also Read: Congress Dares CJP to Audit Punjab Schools "With Same Eyes" as Elsewhere