The Indian government is working on a major plan to improve international air travel by developing a network of 44 airports across the country.
The project will include four major hub airports and 40 spoke airports, making it easier for passengers from smaller cities to connect with international destinations.
As part of this plan, Air India has started operating flights from Amritsar under the new Hub and Spoke (H&S) model, reducing travel hassles for international passengers.
What Is the Hub and Spoke Model?
The Hub and Spoke model connects smaller airports (called spoke airports) to larger airports (called hub airports), where passengers can easily board international flights.
Delhi is currently the only hub airport, while Varanasi and Amritsar are the two spoke airports. Ahmedabad will be added as the next spoke airport in the upcoming phase.
This system is designed to make international travel smoother and reduce the need for passengers to complete multiple airport procedures.
International Travel Becomes Easier from Amritsar
Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said passengers traveling from Punjab to destinations such as London, Toronto, or Dubai earlier had to travel to Delhi, check in again, complete immigration, and wait in long queues.
With the new system, passengers can now complete check-in, baggage drop, customs, and immigration at Amritsar Airport itself. Their luggage will be tagged directly to the final international destination.
After arriving in Delhi, travelers only need to board their connecting international flight, saving both time and effort.
Government Plans 4 Hub and 40 Spoke Airports
Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha announced that the government plans to develop four hub airports and 40 spoke airports under this network.
Through this model, Air India will offer seamless connectivity from Amritsar to 27 international destinations via Delhi, helping improve India’s global aviation network.
Air India Expands Easy Connect Flights
Air India has started two Easy Connect flights every day from Amritsar. These services allow passengers to reach 27 international destinations across the US, Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, West Asia, and Southeast Asia through Delhi.
According to the airline, passengers can connect to these international flights within four hours of arriving in Delhi.
The first Easy Connect service was launched from Varanasi on June 25. In the coming weeks, Air India also plans to introduce similar services from Ahmedabad, Goa, Kochi, and several other Indian cities.
