IndiGo & China Southern Launch Codeshare to Strengthen India-China Air Links

 

Indigo Landing in Delhi

IndiGo & China Southern Sign Codeshare: A New Chapter for India–China Air Travel

What’s the Big News?

IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Southern Airlines to create a codeshare partnership and a broader cooperation agreement. This move has the potential to significantly improve air travel between India and China, once regulatory approvals come through.

Under this deal:

• China Southern will be able to offer more flights into India on select IndiGo-operated routes.

• IndiGo passengers get access to China Southern’s extensive network in China, especially beyond Guangzhou, opening up more onward connections. Centre for Aviation

• The partnership promises smoother travel: coordinated schedules, through-check of baggage, and more seamless booking. ETTravelWorld.com

Why This Partnership Matters

Reviving India–China Connectivity

After more than five years of disruption, commercial flights between India and mainland China are making a comeback.
IndiGo restarted flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou in October 2025, and later added Delhi–Guangzhou daily service.

Strategic Importance for Both Airlines

• IndiGo: This partnership reinforces IndiGo’s international ambitions and helps it integrate deeper into cross-border networks.

• China Southern: The Chinese carrier sees strong growth potential in the Indian market. Through IndiGo, it can connect passengers more efficiently into major Indian cities. ETTravelWorld.com

Boosting Trade, Tourism & Cultural Exchange

By making it easier to fly between India and China, this alliance could catalyze economic activity, tourism flows, and people-to-people connections — crucial, especially after years of limited direct connectivity.

Key Operational Details

• The Delhi–Guangzhou route is operated daily using IndiGo’s A320neo aircraft.

• Flight schedules: The outbound flight departs Delhi in the late evening, arriving in Guangzhou early morning; the return departs Guangzhou shortly after.

• Full details of which routes will be codeshared (city pairs, frequencies) have not been disclosed yet — these will follow after regulatory clearances.

What the Airlines Are Saying

Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, emphasized that the new partnership strengthens strategic air links and supports deeper economic and cultural ties between India and China.

Han Wensheng, President and CEO of China Southern Airlines, noted that this collaboration leverages the strengths of both carriers and opens up new travel options, while fueling cooperation in business, tourism, and aviation

How This Affects Travelers

1. More Route Options: More flight combinations across both airline networks mean greater flexibility.

2. Single-Booking Convenience: With codeshare, you could fly with both airlines on a single ticket — ideal for smoother transfers.

3. Baggage & Check-In Ease: Through check-in of luggage reduces hassle for connecting passengers.

4. Economic Access: Easier travel could benefit business travellers, students, and tourists, especially those looking to explore secondary Chinese cities beyond Guangzhou.