Govt plans 44 airports under Hub and Spoke model to boost global connectivity

The government plans to develop 44 airports, including four hub airports, under the Hub and Spoke model to provide seamless international air connectivity, a senior government official confirmed.

Air India on Tuesday launched flights under the model from Amritsar, making it the second spoke airport after Varanasi. Delhi is currently the only hub airport, while Ahmedabad is set to become the next spoke airport.

Under the model, passengers from Tier-II and Tier-III cities will be connected to international destinations through major hub airports such as Delhi.

Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha said four hub airports and 40 spoke airports would be developed.

From Amritsar, Air India will connect passengers to 27 international destinations through Delhi under the model.

The airline has introduced 'Easy Connect' flights, allowing travellers to complete through check-in and immigration formalities at their origin airport and transfer through Delhi without re-checking baggage or changing terminals.

Air India will operate two daily 'Easy Connect' flights from Amritsar, with connections to destinations in the US, Canada, UK, Europe, Australia, West Asia and Southeast Asia within four hours of arrival in Delhi.

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the government aims to develop 100 airports and 200 heliports over the next 10 years.

Air India plans to launch similar services from Ahmedabad, Goa, Kochi and other Indian cities in the coming weeks.

The first 'Easy Connect' service was launched from Varanasi on June 25.