Air India has opened bookings for its new “Easy Connect” flights under the Government of India’s hub-and-spoke aviation model. The service will begin from Varanasi on June 25, 2026, making international travel easier for passengers from smaller cities by offering seamless connections through Delhi.
Under the new system, travellers can complete check-in for their entire journey at their origin airport. Passengers will be able to check their baggage through to the final international destination without collecting or re-checking luggage during transit at Delhi.
A key feature of the initiative is immigration clearance at the departure airport itself. International passengers flying from Varanasi will complete immigration formalities before boarding, allowing them to transit through Delhi as international travellers and avoid long queues at the hub airport.
The daily Easy Connect flight AI1111 from Varanasi to Delhi has been timed to provide smooth onward connections to 17 international destinations. These include major cities such as London, Frankfurt, Rome, Milan, Zurich, Vienna, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Phuket, Dubai, Riyadh, Manila and Kathmandu.
Air India said the hub-and-spoke model is designed to improve connectivity between Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and the airline’s global network. The initiative aims to simplify international travel, reduce transit hassles and offer passengers a more convenient travel experience through Indian hubs.
Following the Varanasi launch, Air India plans to gradually expand Easy Connect services to more cities across the country. The airline believes the model will help create a more integrated and globally competitive aviation ecosystem while enhancing international travel options for passengers from non-metro regions.
