China-India Flight Resumption: China Southern Airlines has announced it will resume direct flights between Guangzhou and New Delhi from September 21, after a six-year suspension. The move comes ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India for the BRICS summit and marks the restart of the airline’s services to India.

China Southern Airlines To Resume Guangzhou-Delhi Flights

According to the Global Times, China Southern Airlines announced that it will resume regular passenger services on the Guangzhou-New Delhi route from September 21. With the restart, the airline will operate more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in South Asia.

The resumption of the Guangzhou-New Delhi service is the latest development in direct air connectivity between India and China. Earlier this year, Air India resumed New Delhi-China flights from February 2026, nearly six years after the services were suspended. In April, direct air connectivity between the two countries received another boost when Air China resumed its Beijing-Delhi service. This marked the second route to India to be restarted by Chinese carriers.

China Eastern Airlines also resumed its direct flight service between Kunming and Kolkata on April 18. Earlier, on March 30, IndiGo launched its first daily nonstop service between Kolkata and Shanghai, marking another step towards strengthening air connectivity between India and China.

ALSO READ: 'Continue To Be Good Neighbours': China's Message Before Xi Jinping's India Visit; Why PM Modi-Xi Meeting Matters

PM Modi-Xi Jinping Meeting

Chinese President Xi is set to arrive in New Delhi on Saturday afternoon to attend the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Xi are also expected to hold a bilateral meeting later in the evening. Earlier on Friday, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong said the proposed meeting would mark the third consecutive year in which Xi and Modi have met, following their meetings in Kazan and Tianjin.

"China will work with India to act on the strategic guidance of the two leaders, handle the bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, step up communication, enhance cooperation, properly handle differences, and be friends enjoying good-neighborliness and partners helping each other succeed," Xu said in a post on X.

ALSO READ: 67-Member Delegation, Bilateral Talks With PM Modi: What's On Xi Jinping's Schedule As He Arrives In India For BRICS

You May Also Like To Watch: