India has launched Hub and Spoke model flights from Amritsar, marking the second spoke airport to join the network after Varanasi. Under the current framework, Delhi functions as the sole hub airport, with Varanasi and Amritsar operating as spoke airports. Ahmedabad has been identified as the next city to join the model, as the government pushes forward its plan to position India as a global aviation hub.
The initiative is designed to enable seamless connectivity between Tier-II and Tier-III cities and international destinations by routing passengers through major hub airports. Travellers arriving from smaller cities will be able to connect onward to overseas destinations via hubs such as Delhi, reducing the complexity typically associated with multi-city international travel.
Speaking at a function held at Amritsar airport to mark the launch, Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha said the government plans to develop four hub airports and 40 spoke airports under the model. From Amritsar, Air India will offer connectivity to 27 international destinations through Delhi as part of this expanded network.
In a video message, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu described the Hub and Spoke model as a matter of “aviation sovereignty” and a major opportunity for India’s growth. He added that the government aims to develop 100 airports and 200 heliports over the next decade, reflecting the scale of the country’s aviation expansion plans.
As part of the rollout, Air India has introduced its ‘Easy Connect’ service, allowing travellers from non-hub cities to complete baggage drop and immigration formalities at their point of origin, enabling a smoother, uninterrupted journey to their final international destination.
From Amritsar, Air India’s ‘Easy Connect’ flights will offer access to 27 overseas destinations, including cities in the United States, with connections completed within four hours of arrival in Delhi—significantly cutting down transit time for passengers from the region.
