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The Centre has outlined plans to develop a network of 44 airports, including four hub airports, to strengthen international air connectivity across India. As part of this effort, Air India has launched its Hub and Spoke operations from Amritsar, allowing passengers to complete baggage check-in and immigration at the origin airport before connecting to international flights via Delhi. The initiative is aimed at improving connectivity for Tier-II and Tier-III cities while reducing transit hassles. Ahmedabad will be the next city to join the network, with more airports planned in the coming weeks.
The Central government is planning to develop a network of 44 airports, including four major hub airports, to improve seamless international air connectivity across the country. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen India's aviation network by connecting passengers from Tier-II and Tier-III cities to international destinations through major aviation hubs.
Speaking at an event held at Amritsar Airport to mark the launch of Air India's Hub and Spoke operations, Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha said the government aims to develop four hub airports and 40 spoke airports under the programme. At present, Delhi is the only operational hub airport, while Varanasi and Amritsar are functioning as spoke airports. Ahmedabad has been identified as the next spoke airport to be added to the network.
Under the Hub and Spoke model, passengers travelling from smaller cities can connect to international flights through major hub airports such as Delhi. The system is designed to simplify travel by reducing the need for repeated baggage handling and airport procedures while improving connectivity between regional airports and overseas destinations.
Air India has started Hub and Spoke services from Amritsar, making it the second airport after Varanasi to be included in the airline's network. Through this service, passengers travelling from Amritsar can access 27 international destinations via Delhi.
Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, in a video message, said the Hub and Spoke model represents an important step towards strengthening India's aviation sector and expanding the country's global connectivity. He also reiterated the government's long-term target of developing 100 airports and 200 heliports over the next decade.
As part of the programme, Air India has introduced its Easy Connect service, allowing international travellers to complete baggage check-in and immigration formalities at their departure airport before boarding domestic flights to the hub airport. This enables passengers to continue their international journey through Delhi without collecting baggage again or changing terminals.
From Amritsar, Air India has introduced two daily Easy Connect flights, providing onward connectivity to 27 international destinations within around four hours of arrival in Delhi. These destinations include cities across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, West Asia and Southeast Asia.
The airline said passengers departing from Amritsar can complete through check-in to their final international destination, finish immigration procedures at Amritsar itself and transfer smoothly through Delhi before boarding their overseas flights.
The Hub and Spoke programme was first introduced from Varanasi earlier this year and is now being expanded to additional cities. In the coming weeks, Air India plans to extend Easy Connect services to Ahmedabad, Goa, Kochi and other Indian cities, further widening the network.
The aviation sector has seen significant expansion in recent years under the Centre's regional connectivity initiatives, with the UDAN scheme increasing access to air travel in smaller cities. The Hub and Spoke model complements these efforts by improving international connectivity for passengers from non-metro regions without requiring direct overseas flights from every airport.
Source PTI
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