A New Daily Connection
Starting September 21, 2026, travellers can fly directly between Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN). China Southern Airlines will operate this daily service using a modern Boeing 737-8 aircraft.
Flight CZ360 will depart from Delhi in the evening at 8:20 PM (IST) and arrive in Guangzhou at 4:15 AM (CST) the next morning. The return flight, CZ359, will leave Guangzhou at 3:35 PM (CST) and land in Delhi at 7:00 PM (IST). This new route joins IndiGo's existing service, adding competition and more options for passengers on this popular corridor.
The Business Gateway to Southern China
For business travellers, this new route is a game-changer. Guangzhou is a major manufacturing and trade powerhouse, famous for hosting the Canton Fair, one of the world's largest trade exhibitions. The city is a critical hub for industries like electronics, pharmaceuticals, and machinery, sectors where India and China share significant business interests. The resumption and expansion of direct flights simplify logistics, make supplier visits easier, and reduce travel time and costs, which previously involved layovers in hubs like Singapore or Bangkok. This enhanced connectivity is expected to further strengthen the already substantial trade relationship between the two nations, which reached record highs in recent years.
More Than Just Business: A Tourist's Launchpad
Beyond its commercial importance, Guangzhou is an increasingly popular, yet often overlooked, tourist destination. The city offers a blend of ancient history and futuristic architecture, from the historic Sacred Heart Cathedral to the iconic Canton Tower. As a culinary capital, it provides an authentic taste of Cantonese cuisine. The new direct flight also positions Guangzhou as a convenient launchpad for exploring the wider Pearl River Delta region, including the bustling cities of Shenzhen and Hong Kong. For Indian tourists, this direct link opens up new, accessible travel itineraries for leisure and cultural exploration.
The Bigger Picture: Rebuilding Connectivity
The launch of China Southern's Delhi-Guangzhou service is part of a broader trend of restoring and expanding air links between India and China. After a suspension of several years due to the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, both Indian and Chinese carriers have been gradually reintroducing routes. Airlines like IndiGo and China Eastern have already resumed services connecting cities such as Kolkata, Shanghai, and Kunming. This steady restoration of flights is a positive signal, aimed at improving people-to-people exchanges, facilitating student travel, and boosting economic cooperation between the two Asian giants.
What This Means for Fares and Choice
The entry of another major airline on the Delhi-Guangzhou route is welcome news for passengers' wallets. Increased competition between China Southern and IndiGo will likely lead to more competitive pricing and flexible travel options. Previously, travellers were often forced into lengthy, multi-stop journeys. With two airlines now offering daily non-stop services, passengers can expect not only reduced travel times—down to about five and a half hours—but also potentially more affordable fares, especially for those who book in advance. This makes travel more accessible for everyone, from large corporations to small business owners and holidaymakers.
