China Southern Airlines will resume regular passenger flights between Guangzhou and Delhi on the 21st September 2026, restoring a route that has been absent for six years.

The daily service is the latest stage in the gradual rebuilding of direct air links between China and India. Several airlines have already returned to the market since late 2025, reconnecting cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Delhi and Kolkata.

For passengers, the expanding network could mean shorter journeys, more convenient business travel and increased competition between airlines. It also restores access to Chinese hubs offering connections across East Asia, Australia, Europe and North America.

Scheduled passenger flights between mainland China and India were suspended in 2020 as international travel collapsed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unlike many international markets, direct connectivity did not quickly return once pandemic restrictions were lifted. Relations between China and India had deteriorated following deadly clashes along their disputed Himalayan border in 2020, leading to a prolonged military and diplomatic standoff.

Cargo flights continued, but passengers travelling between the two countries generally had to connect through a third location. Common options included Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore and other regional hubs, adding time and inconvenience to what would otherwise be a relatively straightforward journey.

The two governments began discussing the restoration of direct passenger services as relations gradually improved. An agreement to ease tensions along the border in October 2024 was followed by further diplomatic talks, eventually allowing selected routes to return from late 2025.

IndiGo was among the first airlines to restore direct connectivity, relaunching daily flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou on the 26th October 2025.

China Eastern Airlines followed with flights between Shanghai and Delhi from the 9th November 2025. The service initially operated three times per week, providing another direct link between two of the countries’ largest commercial centres.

Air India resumed its own Delhi to Shanghai service on the 1st February 2026, initially operating four times each week. The airline subsequently increased its planned frequency, although the route was temporarily suspended during wider network changes through August. Air India has also previously outlined plans for a future Mumbai to Shanghai service, subject to regulatory approval. Air India’s original Shanghai announcement confirmed its wider ambitions in mainland China.

Further routes returned in April. China Eastern restored flights between Kunming and Kolkata, while Air China resumed its Beijing to Delhi service on the 21st April 2026. The Air China route operates three times per week using Airbus A330 aircraft.

The return of China Southern’s Guangzhou to Delhi service now adds a daily connection between the Indian capital and southern China.

Guangzhou is one of China’s most important commercial centres and the capital of Guangdong province. It sits within the Pearl River Delta, a region with major manufacturing, technology and international trade links.

The city attracts significant business traffic from India, particularly from traders working in areas such as electronics, clothing and wholesale goods. It is also home to the Canton Fair, one of China’s largest trade exhibitions.

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is a major hub for China Southern Airlines. Beyond serving the city itself, it can provide onward connections across China and to destinations elsewhere in Asia, Australia, Europe and North America.

The restored Delhi route will therefore be useful for more than passengers travelling only between the two cities. It creates another potential connecting option for Indian travellers heading farther east. The Indian Express explains the wider importance of the Guangzhou link.

Additional capacity usually creates more competition, but passengers should not assume fares will immediately fall across every route.

For several years, travellers between India and China have had to use connecting itineraries, often increasing both the journey time and total cost. The return of nonstop services removes the need for an intermediate airport and gives passengers more airlines and departure times to compare.

Competition between Air India, IndiGo, Air China, China Eastern and China Southern could place downward pressure on fares if capacity continues to grow. However, prices will still depend on demand, frequency, operating costs and the number of seats available on particular dates.

Business travel and visiting-friends-and-relatives traffic could initially absorb much of the restored capacity. If demand proves strong, airlines may be encouraged to add frequencies or bring back more of the routes that operated before 2020.

The restored services open several new ways to travel beyond China.

Passengers using Guangzhou can connect across China Southern’s extensive network, while Shanghai and Beijing provide access to other Chinese airlines and international destinations. Kunming is particularly well placed for connections into parts of Southeast Asia.

These options could compete with established routings through Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. The best choice will depend on the total journey time, fare, baggage allowance, transit requirements and protection offered when flights are booked on a single ticket.

Passengers should also check visa and transit rules carefully. The restoration of a flight does not automatically mean every traveller can enter China or make a particular connection without additional documentation.

The return of China Southern’s Delhi to Guangzhou service is another meaningful step in rebuilding one of Asia’s most important air travel markets. Direct connectivity remains smaller than it was before 2020, but passengers now have a growing choice of routes linking India with Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Kunming.

If demand supports further expansion, increased competition could eventually produce better schedules, shorter journeys and more competitive fares. For now, the biggest improvement is simple: travelling between China and India no longer has to mean an unnecessary connection through a third country.