India plans 44 airports to expand Hub and Spoke flight network

The government plans to develop a network of 44 airports, including four hub airports, to provide seamless international air connectivity across the country, a senior government official said on Tuesday.

Air India on Tuesday launched Hub and Spoke model flights from Amritsar, making it the second airport after Varanasi to be connected under the initiative.

At present, Delhi is the only hub airport, while Varanasi and Amritsar are the two spoke airports. Ahmedabad will be the next spoke airport to join the network.

The Hub and Spoke model is aimed at making India a global aviation hub by improving connectivity between Tier-II and Tier-III cities and international destinations through major hub airports.

Under the system, passengers travelling from smaller cities will be routed through hub airports such as Delhi for onward international flights.

Speaking at an event at Amritsar airport to mark the launch of the Hub and Spoke model flights, Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha said four hub airports and 40 other airports would be developed under the plan.

From Amritsar, Air India will provide connections to 27 international destinations via Delhi under the new model.

In a video message, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu described Hub and Spoke as an “aviation sovereignty” and an “opportunity” model for India.

The minister also said the government aims to develop 100 airports and 200 heliports over the next 10 years.

As part of the initiative, Air India has introduced ‘Easy Connect’ flights, allowing passengers travelling from cities beyond major hubs to check in their baggage and complete immigration formalities at their origin airport before continuing seamlessly to international destinations.

According to the airline, passengers flying from Amritsar will be able to connect to 27 overseas destinations within four hours of arriving in Delhi. These destinations include cities in the US, Canada, UK, Europe, Australia, West Asia and Southeast Asia.

Air India will operate two daily ‘Easy Connect’ flights from Amritsar starting on Tuesday.

“As part of the ‘Easy Connect’ programme, international travellers from Amritsar can complete through check-in to their final destinations, clear immigration formalities at Amritsar airport, and enjoy seamless transfers through Delhi without having to re-check baggage or change terminals,” the airline said in a release.

The airline said it will expand the service in the coming weeks by launching similar flights from Ahmedabad, Goa, Kochi and other Indian cities.

The first ‘Easy Connect’ service under the Hub and Spoke model was launched from Varanasi on June 25.