The Wait is Over: Flights Resume This Month
China Southern Airlines is set to relaunch its direct daily passenger service between Guangzhou and Delhi starting September 21, 2026. This marks the carrier's return to the popular route after a suspension of over six years, which began in early 2020
due to the pandemic and subsequent geopolitical tensions. The daily service will be operated by a Boeing 737-8 aircraft, with flight CZ359 departing Guangzhou in the afternoon and arriving in Delhi in the evening. The return flight, CZ360, will take off from Delhi at night and land in Guangzhou early the next morning. This move is part of a broader trend of restoring air links between the two nations, with several airlines like IndiGo, Air China, and China Eastern having already resumed services on other key routes like Kolkata-Guangzhou, Beijing-Delhi, and Shanghai-Delhi over the past year.
Why Guangzhou is a Key Destination
For many Indian travellers, Guangzhou is more than just a city; it's a critical business hub. The city is home to the world-renowned Canton Fair, the largest trade exhibition in China, held twice a year in spring and autumn. This fair attracts over 200,000 international buyers and 25,000 exhibitors, making it an essential event for Indian entrepreneurs, importers, and manufacturers looking to source products directly from factories. Attending the fair allows businesses to negotiate better prices, verify product quality firsthand, and build crucial supplier relationships without intermediaries. Beyond business, Guangzhou's Baiyun International Airport is a major transit hub, offering convenient connections to other destinations across Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The resumption of direct flights makes it a strategic entry point into China and the wider region.
The Practical Benefits for Travellers
The most significant advantage of the restored route is the immense time saved. A direct flight from Delhi to Guangzhou takes approximately six hours. Until now, travellers have had to endure journeys of 10 to 15 hours or more, with layovers in cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, or Bangkok. This reduction in travel time is a massive boost for efficiency, especially for business travellers on tight schedules. Beyond time, direct flights often lead to cost savings by eliminating the expense of a connecting flight and reducing the risk of costly missed connections. This simplified journey makes planning much more straightforward, whether you're heading to the Canton Fair or embarking on a holiday. The move is expected to unclog a significant channel of pent-up travel demand that has been building for years.
A Boost for India-China Trade
The restoration of this air corridor is being hailed as a vital step in strengthening economic ties between India and China. Despite the lack of direct flights, bilateral trade has remained substantial, reaching approximately US$136 billion in recent years. China is a primary source of imports for key Indian sectors like electronics, pharmaceuticals, and automotive components. The direct connection facilitates easier movement for traders, executives, and entrepreneurs, which can help reduce supply chain friction and foster new investment opportunities. Indian business owners, particularly those who rely on the Canton Fair, have long advocated for the return of direct flights, calling it a crucial confidence-building measure that lowers the cost of doing business.
What to Know Before You Book
With flights now on sale, planning a trip is once again a reality. Indian citizens require a visa to travel to China, and it's essential to apply for the correct type, typically a Business (M) visa for attending trade fairs like the Canton Fair. The Canton Fair is organised in three phases, each focusing on different product categories—from electronics and machinery in Phase 1 to textiles and medical supplies in Phase 3—so it's important to choose the phase that aligns with your business interests. As connectivity improves, it's wise to book flights and accommodations well in advance, especially around the busy Canton Fair dates in April-May and October-November. The reopening of this route signals a broader normalisation of travel, making it an opportune time to explore business and tourism possibilities.
