Varanasi gets direct global access as Air India launches Easy Connect flights

Air India on Tuesday opened bookings for flights under the central government’s hub-and-spoke model, with the first service under the initiative scheduled to begin from Varanasi on June 25.

The airline said the services, introduced as ‘Easy Connect’ flights, will allow travellers from cities beyond major aviation hubs to check in baggage and complete immigration formalities at their origin airport before travelling onward to international destinations.

Under the hub-and-spoke model, cities such as Varanasi function as ‘spokes’ linked to major hub airports like Delhi, enabling passengers to access Air India’s international network through a single connection point.

According to the airline, the structure is designed to provide passengers from non-metro cities with efficient access to multiple overseas destinations through coordinated schedules and streamlined transit arrangements.

Air India said the Easy Connect network will be rolled out in phases across several cities in the coming months as part of efforts to expand seamless international connectivity from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

The facility allows passengers travelling from cities such as Varanasi to complete through check-in to their final international destination. Travellers will not be required to collect or re-check baggage at the hub airport in Delhi.

Passengers will also complete international immigration procedures at their originating airport, removing the need to undergo those formalities at the hub airport.

In addition, travellers using Easy Connect services will transit through hub airports such as Delhi as international passengers, allowing for quicker and more efficient onward connections.

The designated Easy Connect service between Varanasi and Delhi will operate daily as AI1111. Air India said the flight has been scheduled to provide onward connections within four hours of arrival in Delhi to 17 international destinations, including London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Milan, Rome, Zurich, Manila, Singapore, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Riyadh and Dubai, among others.

The airline said future Easy Connect services operating from other spoke airports will carry flight numbers in the AI11XX series, creating a distinct identity for the network.

“The successful implementation of the hub-and-spoke model requires close coordination across airlines, airports, and multiple government agencies, and we are grateful for the strong collaboration that has enabled this rollout. Air India is committed to continuing to work closely with all stakeholders across the industry and the Government of India as we expand this model to more cities and phases.

“Together, we are building a more efficient, integrated, and globally competitive aviation ecosystem for India,” said P Balaji.

Air India said the rollout will be expanded to additional cities in a phased manner over the coming months as it continues to lead the implementation of the connectivity model across the country.