In a major push to enhance international air connectivity across the country, a network of 44 airports is currently under development, which includes four major hub airports. Designed to transform the nation into a prominent global aviation hub, this ambitious scheme aims to link airports in smaller and mid-sized cities directly with international destinations. As part of this rollout, the Hub and Spoke model has now officially commenced operations at Amritsar Airport.
Air India Launches Flights Under the New Framework
Embracing this collaborative network, Air India has begun operating flights under the new framework from Amritsar. The services were flagged off on Tuesday, making Amritsar the second airport in the country after Varanasi to implement this operational model. Under this setup, smaller airports categorized as spokes connect passengers seamlessly through larger hub airports to global destinations. Currently, the network operates with one primary hub airport in Delhi and two spoke airports in Varanasi and Amritsar, with Ahmedabad slated for development as a spoke airport in the subsequent phase.
Complete Check-In and Immigration Locally in Amritsar
This operational shift brings immense convenience to travelers from Punjab and neighboring regions heading abroad. Highlighting the significance of the launch, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu stated that the model serves as a milestone for aviation sovereignty and opportunity in the country. He noted that previously, travelers from Punjab bound for destinations such as London, Toronto, or Dubai had to first travel to Delhi, reclaim their luggage, stand in long queues, and clear immigration formalities, a cumbersome process that often consumed half a day.
Under the newly established system, passengers can complete their entire check-in and immigration procedure right at Amritsar Airport. Luggage checked in at Amritsar will travel straight to the final international destination for collection upon arrival. Processes including check-in, immigration, customs, and baggage drop-off are entirely handled locally, leaving travelers with only the task of boarding their connecting international flight upon landing in Delhi.
Expansion Plans Involving Four Hubs and Forty Spokes
Speaking on the launch occasion, Civil Aviation Secretary Sameer Kumar Sinha outlined the broader infrastructural roadmap, confirming that a total of 4 hub airports and 40 spoke airports will be developed across the nation. Through this connectivity framework, Air India is facilitating direct access from Amritsar via Delhi to a total of 27 international destinations.
Connecting Flights Available Within Four Hours of Reaching Delhi
Air India announced that these easy-connect flights from Amritsar will ensure seamless onward travel within four hours of arrival in Delhi, connecting passengers to 27 foreign destinations across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, West Asia, and Southeast Asia. The airline initiated two daily easy-connect flights from Amritsar on Tuesday and plans to extend similar services from other Indian cities including Ahmedabad, Goa, and Kochi in the coming weeks. The very first easy-connect flight under this initiative was launched from Varanasi on June 25.
