China Southern Airlines confirmed Wednesday that it will resume its Guangzhou-to-Delhi air service, marking the return of a key connectivity link between China and India that was grounded for more than half a decade. The carrier said the new schedule would begin in the coming weeks, aligning with the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping in New Delhi for the upcoming Brics summit. The decision signals a diplomatic thaw even as broader strategic tensions between New Delhi and Beijing continue to simmer.
The suspended route had been inoperable since mid-2020, coinciding with heightened border clashes along the Line of Actual Control and a sharp downturn in bilateral cooperation. Airlines from both countries scaled back operations during the pandemic era, but many services were not fully restored even after travel restrictions eased. Industry analysts noted that the revival of the Guangzhou-Delhi corridor could facilitate trade missions, academic exchanges, and tourism as both governments seek practical engagement despite policy differences.
With the restart, China Southern expects its total weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in South Asia to exceed one hundred services. The Gulf carriers and Indian airlines continue to dominate most cross-border schedules, but carriers based in southern China have long expressed interest in rebuilding passenger and cargo links. Officials from the Indian civil aviation ministry declined to comment specifically on the airline announcement, though they have repeatedly stressed that reciprocal air access should be granted on commercial grounds.
The timing of the resumption is closely watched by business travelers and import-export firms, many of whom rely on Guangzhou's manufacturing supply chains. Cargo connectivity between the two cities had diminished sharply after 2020, affecting components, textiles, and pharmaceutical ingredients. Analysts said renewed flights could help restore confidence among logistics providers operating between South India and southern China.
Diplomatic sources indicated that President Xi's itinerary for the Brics meeting will include bilateral discussions with Indian leadership. While no formal agreements on aviation were disclosed, the reactivation of the Guangzhou-Delhi route appears coordinated with efforts to stabilize economic ties ahead of the summit.
