Air India launches Hub-and-Spoke at Amritsar airport

A new international travel system designed to simplify journeys for passengers from regional cities launched from Amritsar on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. The initiative, known as the Hub and Spoke model, allows travelers departing from the Punjab city to complete all check-in, immigration, and customs formalities at their local airport before connecting to overseas flights via Delhi.

Under the new framework, operated by Air India as its "Easy Connect" service, passengers' baggage is checked through to their final international destination. Upon landing at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, travelers can transfer directly to their onward international flight without repeating security or immigration procedures or collecting their luggage. Officials said the system significantly reduces transit time and hassle, particularly for elderly passengers and families.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, who addressed the launch event virtually, stated that the model transforms Amritsar's global connectivity. He noted that while the city previously offered direct flights to only seven international destinations, passengers can now seamlessly access over 20...