Guangzhou and Macau are big winners in new reforms to India’s Bilateral Air Services Agreement. The move paves the way for Indian airlines to expand their global reach with flights from the capital Delhi, to within the borders of the PRD.

Sandeep B. Kumar, Consul for Politics and Commerce at the Indian Consulate General in Guangzhou, told The Nanfang that the popular Indian discount airline, Spice Jet was "very interested" in creating new routes between Delhi and Guangzhou. Spice Jet Boeing 737 (c) Ashok Prabhakara

Sandeep B. Kumar, Consul for Politics and Commerce at the Indian Consulate General in Guangzhou, told The Nanfang that while a specific carrier has yet to capitalize on the reforms, the popular Indian discount airline, Spice Jet was: “very interested” in creating new routes between Delhi and Guangzhou. Air India has also expressed an interest in starting flights between the two cities. Kumar added: “We feel very happy about this news. This connects places, people, business, and improves relations between our nations.”

(c) Air India

While flights between Delhi and the PRD are looking to expand, Kumar lamented the lack of flights between the PRD and southern India, including the financial capital of Mumbai: “It’s a great opportunity for more redevelopment.”

Although Macau has yet to be exploited as a destination for Chinese and Indian airlines, that is slowly changing. China Southern Airlines now flies seven times a week to Delhi from Baiyun Airport; a move which should provide more capacity, and increased competition on the route.

While no official word has been released as to when the new routes will commence, Kumar says an announcement on Indian airlines flying to Guangzhou could be made as soon as July.