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China Southern Airlines to Resume Delhi-Guangzhou Flights After Six Years
China Southern Airlines announced it will resume daily passenger services between Guangzhou and New Delhi from September 21, ending a six-year suspension. The move coincides with Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India for the BRICS summit and comes amid gradual normalization of bilateral ties. The airline will operate more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in South Asia.
By Tertius News AI Desk5 outlets · 9 publishers · 9 articlesCoverage Published v7
China Southern Airlines announced on Saturday, September 12, that it will resume regular passenger services on the Guangzhou-New Delhi route from September 21, restarting the service after a six-year suspension. The announcement was made as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi for the BRICS Summit 2026, his first visit to India in nearly seven years.
The carrier will operate one daily round trip between Indira Gandhi International Airport and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport using Boeing 737-series aircraft, including the 737-8/MAX 8 series, according to reports. The outbound flight, CZ359, is scheduled to depart Guangzhou at 3:35 pm local time and arrive in New Delhi at 7 pm, while the return flight, CZ360, will leave Delhi at 8:20 pm and reach Guangzhou at 4:15 am the following day, as reported by CNBC TV18 and Free Press Journal.
With the resumption, China Southern Airlines — headquartered in Guangzhou in China's southern Guangdong province and one of the country's major carriers — will operate more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in South Asia, the carrier said.
China Southern becomes the third major Chinese airline to restore services between India and China, following China Eastern Airlines and Air China. Air China resumed its Beijing-Delhi service in April, and China Eastern restarted direct flights between Kunming and Kolkata in April, after resuming its Shanghai-Delhi service in November 2025, as noted by CNBC TV18 and Free Press Journal.
Indian carriers have also been expanding connectivity. IndiGo launched daily non-stop flights between Kolkata and Shanghai on March 30, and began daily direct flights between New Delhi and Guangzhou starting November 10, according to Lokmat Times. Air India brought back its New Delhi-China services in February this year, and is set to restart non-stop flights between Delhi and Shanghai in September with five weekly services, as reported by CNBC TV18.
The suspension of direct air links between the two countries dates to 2020, when services were halted following the COVID-19 pandemic and remained disrupted amid the over four-year military standoff in eastern Ladakh, which ended in October last year. The resumption is part of the gradual normalisation of India-China relations following two meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping — on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024, and during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin in 2025.
Beijing and New Delhi have progressively taken steps to restore travel and business links after reaching a border disengagement agreement in 2024, according to Business Today. The Chinese Embassy in India reduced visa processing fees and extended temporary waivers on biometric fingerprinting requirements for short-term entry, while India has cautiously relaxed business visa processing for essential Chinese technical personnel.
China Southern Airlines said the resumed service is expected to support bilateral trade, tourism, student travel, and broader people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, as reported by Free Press Journal. The revival of the route is expected to provide passengers with a more convenient link to southern China and improve travel options for business travellers, tourists, and students.
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Business Today
Framing: Emphasizes Xi's arrival in India alongside the resumption of direct flights, linking the two developments. — Measured and cautiously optimistic, describing a 'cautious thaw' and 'cautious rapprochement' without alarm or celebration.
Facts Included:
China Southern Airlines announced it will resume regular passenger flights between Guangzhou and New Delhi on September 21, ending a six-year suspension.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on September 12 for the BRICS Summit 2026.
Direct flights between the two nations were disrupted during the Covid-19 pandemic and remained strictly limited following tensions along the border after the 2020 Galwan clash.
Air China resumed its Beijing-Delhi service earlier this year.
China Eastern restarted direct flights between Kunming and Kolkata in April.
New Delhi and Beijing have progressively taken steps to restore travel and business links after reaching a border disengagement agreement in 2024.
The Chinese Embassy in India reduced visa processing fees and extended temporary waivers on biometric fingerprinting requirements for short-term entry.
India has cautiously relaxed business visa processing for essential Chinese technical personnel.
Xi Jinping's arrival marks his first visit to India in seven years.
Framing: The headline emphasizes the resumption of Guangzhou flights after six years, framed around Prime Minister Modi's involvement, suggesting a diplomatic angle. — Measured and factual, focusing on logistics and the context of diplomatic relations without emotional language.
Facts Included:
China Southern Airlines will resume daily passenger services between Guangzhou and New Delhi from September 21, marking the airline's return to India after a six-year suspension, according to Global Times.
The announcement comes ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India for the BRICS summit, as ties between the two countries show signs of improvement.
China Southern will operate one daily flight on the Guangzhou-New Delhi route using Boeing 737-series aircraft.
The outbound flight, CZ359, will depart Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport at 3:35 pm local time and arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi at 7 pm.
The return flight, CZ360, will leave New Delhi at 8:20 pm and arrive in Guangzhou at 4:15 am the following day.
China Southern is the third major Chinese airline to restore services between India and China, following China Eastern Airlines and Air China.
Air China resumed its direct Beijing-Delhi service in April, bringing back flights between the two capitals after nearly six years.
China Eastern Airlines also resumed direct flights between Kunming and Kolkata in April, after restarting its Shanghai-Delhi service in November 2025.
Air India is set to restart non-stop flights between Delhi and Shanghai in September, with services planned five times a week.
IndiGo launched daily non-stop flights between Kolkata and Shanghai in March.
The airline had earlier resumed flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou and launched services on the Delhi-Guangzhou route.
Framing: The headline emphasizes the airline's action of resuming service to Guangzhou, focusing on the route's restart.
Facts Included:
China Southern Airlines announced on Saturday that it will resume regular passenger services on the Guangzhou-New Delhi route from September 21, restarting after a six-year suspension.
With the resumption, the airline will operate more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in South Asia.
China Southern Airlines is headquartered in Guangzhou in China's southern Guangdong province.
The announcement coincides with Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India on Saturday to attend the BRICS summit and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Flight services between India and China were suspended following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and were not restored amid the over four-year military standoff in eastern Ladakh, which ended in October last year.
The resumption is part of gradual normalisation of India-China relations following two meetings between Modi and Xi in 2024 and 2025.
Several Chinese and Indian airlines resumed flight services between cities in the two countries, including the Beijing-New Delhi route.
Framing: Emphasizes the airline's resumption of a specific route after a six-year hiatus and the start date.
Facts Included:
China Southern Airlines is set to resume direct passenger flights between New Delhi and Guangzhou from September 21, 2026, ending a six-year suspension.
China Southern will operate one daily round trip between Indira Gandhi International Airport and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.
Flight CZ359 from Guangzhou is scheduled to depart at around 3:35 pm and arrive in New Delhi at approximately 7 pm.
The return flight, CZ360, is expected to leave Delhi at around 8 pm to 8:20 pm and reach Guangzhou at approximately 4:15 am the following day.
China Southern becomes the third major Chinese carrier to restore flights to India, following China Eastern Airlines and Air China.
China Eastern has already resumed services connecting Shanghai and Delhi, besides operating the Kunming-Kolkata route.
Air China restarted its Beijing-Delhi service in April 2026.
Direct air links between India and China were largely suspended around 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The announcement coincides with Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India for the BRICS Summit.
China Southern said the resumed service is expected to support bilateral trade, tourism, student travel and broader people-to-people exchanges.
Following the restart, the airline expects to operate more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in South Asia.
The Delhi-Guangzhou flights are available for booking ahead of the September 21 restart.
Framing: highlights the airline's resumption of a specific route after a six-year gap
Facts Included:
China Southern Airlines announced it will resume regular passenger services on the Guangzhou-New Delhi route from September 21.
The service was suspended for six years.
With the resumption, the airline will operate more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in South Asia.
China Southern Airlines is headquartered in Guangzhou in China's southern Guangdong province.
The announcement coincides with Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India on Saturday to attend the BRICS summit and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Flight services between India and China were suspended following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and were not restored amid the military standoff in eastern Ladakh, which ended in October last year.
Several Chinese and Indian airlines resumed flight services between cities in the two countries, including the Beijing-New Delhi route.
Framing: The headline emphasizes the resumption of China Southern Airlines' Guangzhou flights, focusing on the airline's operational news.
Facts Included:
China Southern Airlines has announced to resume regular flights between Guangzhou and New Delhi from September 21.
The airline will operate more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in the region, bringing back its India service after a six-year suspension.
Air India brought back its New Delhi-China services in February this year.
China Eastern Airlines restored its Kunming-Kolkata route on April 18.
Air China subsequently resumed its Beijing-Delhi service in April.
IndiGo also started daily nonstop flights between Kolkata and Shanghai on March 30.
IndiGo began new daily direct flights between New Delhi and China's Guangzhou starting November 10.
Chinese President Xi Jinping departed for India to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, marking his first visit to the country in nearly seven years.
China's Foreign Ministry announced Xi's participation on Thursday, confirming that the Chinese President will attend the two-day summit at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.
Xi's visit comes as India and China continue efforts to stabilise their bilateral relationship following the deadly Galwan clashes of 2020.
India has repeatedly underlined the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas as a key prerequisite for the continued development and progress of bilateral ties.
Framing: The headline emphasizes the resumption of a specific flight route after a six-year pause, highlighting the airline and the destination. — Neutral and factual, reporting the announcement without evident emotional or evaluative language.
Facts Included:
China Southern Airlines announced on Saturday that it will resume regular passenger services on the Guangzhou-New Delhi route from September 21
The service was suspended for six years
The airline will operate more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in South Asia
China Southern Airlines is headquartered in Guangzhou in China's southern Guangdong province
The announcement coincides with Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India on Saturday to attend the BRICS summit and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Flight services between India and China were suspended following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and were not restored amid the over four-year military standoff in eastern Ladakh, which ended in October last year
The resumption is part of the gradual normalisation of India-China relations following two meetings between Modi and Xi in 2024 and 2025
Several Chinese and Indian airlines resumed flight services between cities in the two countries, including the Beijing-New Delhi route
Framing: Announcement of flight resumption by China Southern Airlines ahead of Xi's visit
Facts Included:
China Southern Airlines announced resumption of regular passenger services on the Guangzhou-New Delhi route from September 21, restarting after a six-year suspension.
The airline will operate more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in South Asia, the carrier said.
China Southern Airlines is headquartered in Guangzhou in China's southern Guangdong province and is one of the country's major carriers.
The announcement coincides with Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India on Saturday to attend the BRICS summit and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Flight services between India and China were suspended following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and were not restored amid the over four-year military standoff in eastern Ladakh, which ended in October last year.
The resumption is part of gradual normalisation of India-China relations following two meetings between Modi and Xi in 2024 and 2025.
Several Chinese and Indian airlines resumed flight services between cities in the two countries, including the Beijing-New Delhi route.
Framing: The headline emphasizes the resumption of a specific flight route after a six-year hiatus. — Measured and matter-of-fact.
Facts Included:
China Southern Airlines announced on Saturday (September 12, 2026) that it will resume regular passenger services on the Guangzhou-New Delhi route from September 21.
The airline will operate more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in South Asia.
The announcement coincides with Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India on Saturday (September 12) to attend the BRICS summit and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Flight services between India and China were suspended following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and were not restored amid the over four-year military standoff in eastern Ladakh, which ended in October last year.
Several Chinese and Indian airlines resumed flight services between cities in the two countries, including the Beijing-New Delhi route.
AI-extracted; can misattribute a claim — see Methodology.
Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimChina Southern Airlines announced on Saturday, September 12, 2026, that it will resume regular passenger services on the Guangzhou-New Delhi route from September 21.
ClaimThe flight services between India and China were suspended following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and were not restored amid the over four-year military standoff in eastern Ladakh, which ended in October last year.
ClaimChina Southern Airlines will operate one daily flight on the Guangzhou-New Delhi route using Boeing 737-series aircraft, including the 737-8/MAX 8 series.
ClaimThe outbound flight CZ359 will depart Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport at 3:35 pm local time and arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi at 7 pm.
ClaimThe resumption of flights is part of the gradual normalisation of India-China relations following two meetings between Modi and Xi in 2024 and 2025.
ClaimChina's Foreign Ministry announced Xi's participation on Thursday, confirming that the Chinese President will attend the two-day summit at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.
ClaimXi Jinping's visit comes as India and China continue efforts to stabilise their bilateral relationship following the deadly Galwan clashes of 2020.
ClaimIndia has repeatedly underlined the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas as a key prerequisite for the continued development and progress of bilateral ties.
ClaimNew Delhi and Beijing have progressively taken steps to restore travel and business links after reaching a border disengagement agreement in 2024.
ClaimThe Chinese Embassy in India reduced visa processing fees and extended temporary waivers on biometric fingerprinting requirements for short-term entry.
ClaimThe revival of the Guangzhou-New Delhi route is expected to make travel easier for tourists, students and business travellers, while also supporting trade between the two countries.
ClaimWith China Southern joining China Eastern and Air China in restoring India services, the revival of direct routes is expected to further strengthen air connectivity between the two countries after years of limited options for travellers.
ClaimChina Southern Airlines said the resumed service is expected to support bilateral trade, tourism, student travel and broader people-to-people exchanges between India and China.
ClaimThe direct Delhi-Guangzhou connection is also expected to provide passengers with a more convenient link to southern China and improve travel options for business travellers, tourists and students.