In an effort to significantly boost aviation connectivity across the country, the regional Udan scheme is now expanding its horizon to link smaller Indian cities directly with international destinations. The government has set a target to develop a robust network comprising a total of 44 airports, which includes four major hub airports, to drastically improve global air accessibility for tier-2 and tier-3 locations. A senior official revealed on Tuesday that this initiative relies heavily on the hub and spoke model, allowing passengers from smaller regional airports, designated as spokes, to connect smoothly with international routes through larger central airports acting as hubs.
Understanding the Hub and Spoke Aviation Framework
This strategic framework aims to establish India as a premier global aviation center by seamlessly bridging regional airfields with international flight paths. During an event marking the introduction of the hub and spoke model flights at the Amritsar airport, Civil Aviation Secretary Sameer Kumar Sinha outlined that four hub airports and 40 secondary airports will be developed under this initiative. Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu further emphasized that this operational approach represents a vital model of aviation sovereignty and immense economic opportunity for the nation, aligning with the broader goal of constructing 100 airports and 200 heliports over the next decade.
Easy Connect Services Begin in Varanasi
As part of this rollout, Air India has introduced tailored Easy Connect flights that allow travelers departing from non-hub cities to drop off their baggage right at their originating departure airport. Passengers can also complete necessary visa-related procedures locally before embarking on their journey, enabling them to travel abroad without undergoing repetitive formalities at intermediate stops. The very first Easy Connect service under this initiative was officially launched from Varanasi on June 25, setting a new benchmark for domestic-to-international transfers.
Inbound Flights to Amritsar in Two Months
Building upon outbound operations, Air India plans to launch inbound international flights routed through the hub and spoke model for Amritsar within the next two months. Currently, international travelers arriving in India must clear immigration and collect their baggage at their very first port of entry before catching a connecting domestic flight. Under the new arrangement, this cumbersome process will be eliminated for Amritsar-bound passengers, allowing them to complete immigration clearances and claim their baggage directly at their final destination.
Air India noted that outbound and domestic connections linked to international networks through Easy Connect commenced in Varanasi on June 25. The airline highlighted that it will become the first Indian carrier to implement a standardized Standard Operating Procedure for inbound hub and spoke operations. This advancement will ensure that passengers traveling to Amritsar via Delhi experience a completely seamless transition between international and domestic segments without unnecessary transit delays.
