Flying abroad just got easier: India unveils major aviation upgrade as Amritsar joins Hub & Spoke Network

The inauguration marks the next phase of the Government of India's strategy to transform the country into a global aviation hub by providing seamless international connectivity to passengers across India through major hub airports, according to an official statement.

The launch follows the successful rollout of India's first Hub & Spoke operations from Varanasi on June 25.

"Over the past one month, the system has operated smoothly, demonstrating the operational viability of the model and receiving an encouraging response from passengers. During this period, passengers originating from Varanasi have been seamlessly connected through Delhi to 18 international destinations, validating the effectiveness of the initiative in simplifying international travel," the statement said.

Congratulating stakeholders through a video message during the launch at Amritsar Airport, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said: "Hub & Spoke is not merely an aviation model; it is an opportunity model. Delhi will serve as the hub, while Amritsar will emerge as a major international gateway for Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. With its strong diaspora connections and vast regional catchment, Amritsar is among the Indian cities that stand to benefit the most from this transformation in global connectivity."

Amritsar occupies a strategic position as one of India's major international gateways, catering to pilgrims, members of the Indian diaspora, business travellers and tourists from Punjab and neighbouring states.

According to studies conducted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the development of aviation hub operations could generate nearly 0.4 million direct and indirect jobs and contribute an additional USD 30 billion to India's economy by 2030.

By 2047, the cumulative impact is projected to support nearly 16 million direct and indirect jobs while contributing approximately USD 1.4 trillion to the national economy.

With the commencement of Hub & Spoke operations from Amritsar, international passengers can now complete check-in, immigration and customs formalities at Amritsar before departure. Their baggage will be checked through to their final international destination, allowing them to transfer seamlessly at Delhi Airport to onward international flights without repeating immigration or customs procedures.

Highlighting the initiative's impact on international connectivity, Naidu said: "Until now, passengers travelling from Amritsar had direct international connectivity to only seven destinations. With the introduction of the Hub & Spoke model, the global connectivity of Delhi Airport will effectively become available to passengers right from Amritsar itself. Travellers will be able to access more than 20 international destinations with a single check-in and a single baggage tag, making the entire journey far more seamless."

Hub & Spoke framework is a key pillar of the Government's International Aviation Hub Strategy. Photo: PIB

He added that nearly 1.5 lakh passengers travel annually from Amritsar to Delhi to board international flights, while another 1.5 lakh passengers arrive from overseas via Delhi to reach Amritsar.

"As travel becomes significantly easier under this integrated system, we expect passenger traffic to grow rapidly," the minister said.

According to airline estimates, nearly 250 passengers per day from Amritsar alone are expected to benefit from the Hub & Spoke model through Delhi. As more regional airports are integrated into the framework over the coming months, the next phase is expected to serve around 1,200 passengers daily—equivalent to nearly 4.5 lakh passengers annually—significantly expanding seamless international connectivity from regional India.

What is the Hub & Spoke framework?

According to the official statement, the Hub & Spoke framework is a key pillar of the Government's International Aviation Hub Strategy, aimed at strengthening Indian airports as preferred gateways for international travel, improving network efficiency for Indian carriers and reducing dependence on overseas transit hubs.

By leveraging India's strategic geographical location and expanding airport infrastructure, the initiative seeks to retain a larger share of international transfer traffic within the country while enhancing the global competitiveness of India's aviation sector.