India To Boost Global Air Connectivity With 44 Airports

31 Jul 2026 CW Team

India plans to enhance global air connectivity with a network of 44 airports, including four hub airports and 40 spokes, a senior government official said. The scheme will link Tier-two and Tier-three cities with international destinations via major hubs. Air India has adopted the Hub and Spoke model and launched Easy Connect flights from Amritsar after earlier services from Varanasi, the airline said. The plan is part of a wider effort to make India a global aviation hub.\n\nUnder Easy Connect, travellers from smaller cities can complete through check-in and immigration at origin airports and transfer at hubs without rechecking baggage or changing terminals, the airline said. From Amritsar, passengers can access 27 overseas destinations via Delhi within four hours, covering North America, Europe, the UK, Australia, West Asia and Southeast Asia. The airline has scheduled two daily Easy Connect flights from Amritsar and plans services from Ahmedabad, Goa and Kochi.\n\nAt an Amritsar event the Civil Aviation Secretary outlined the development of four hubs and 40 spokes under the model. The Civil Aviation Minister described the strategy as an opportunity for aviation sovereignty and the government set a target to develop 100 airports and 200 heliports over 10 years. The model will route passengers from smaller cities through major hubs such as Delhi for onward international connections.\n\nAir India began the first Easy Connect service from Varanasi in late June and will roll out further regional services to broaden international access. The scheme aims to integrate regional travel with global routes, reduce transfer times and ease passenger inconvenience at hubs. By enabling origin check-in and through baggage handling the arrangement intends to make international travel more accessible for travellers from smaller cities.

Infrastructure Urban

31 Jul 2026

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