Air India has launched a new service that could make international travel much easier for passengers living in smaller Indian cities.
The airline has introduced its first “Easy Connect” flight under the Government of India’s hub-and-spoke aviation model.
The new daily flight, AI1111, will operate between Varanasi and Delhi.
Through this service, passengers from Varanasi will be able to connect smoothly to several international destinations without facing the usual hassles of transit travel.
The service was inaugurated in Varanasi by Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu and Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson.
What Makes This Service Special?
The biggest advantage of the Easy Connect service is that passengers can complete several travel formalities at their departure city itself.
Travelers flying from Varanasi will be able to:
Check in their baggage directly to their final international destination
Receive boarding passes for the entire journey
Complete immigration formalities at Varanasi Airport
Avoid collecting and re-checking luggage in Delhi
This will help reduce waiting time and make international travel more convenient.
Direct Connections to 17 International Destinations
The daily AI1111 flight has been scheduled to provide onward international connections from Delhi within four hours.
Passengers can connect to several major global cities, including:
London Heathrow
Frankfurt
Milan
Rome
Zurich
Singapore
Manila
Phuket
Kuala Lumpur
Riyadh
Dubai
Along with these destinations, travelers will also get access to several other cities through Air India’s international network.
Understanding the Hub-and-Spoke Model
The new service is part of the government’s hub-and-spoke aviation strategy.
Under this model, smaller cities, known as “spokes,” are connected to major airports such as Delhi, which serve as “hubs.”
From these hubs, passengers can easily access domestic and international flights.
The goal is to provide better global connectivity to people living in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities without requiring them to start their journey from a major metro city.
More Cities May Get Similar Services Soon
Air India has indicated that similar Easy Connect services could soon be introduced from other cities as well.
According to the airline, destinations such as Amritsar, Vadodara, and Kochi are likely to be added to the network in the coming months.
This could help thousands of passengers access international flights more conveniently from their hometowns.
Big Upgrade Planned for Varanasi Airport
During the launch event, Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu also announced several infrastructure projects for Varanasi Airport.
The planned upgrades include:
Extension of the runway
Construction of a new terminal building
Development of multi-level parking facilities
The government has also revealed plans to develop six more airports under the hub-and-spoke model over the next six months.
According to the minister, the Varanasi airport expansion projects are expected to be completed within the next 13 months.
With easier connections, faster immigration processing, and direct access to global destinations, the new Easy Connect service could become a major convenience for international travelers from smaller Indian cities.
