Varanasi: India has launched a hub-and-spoke aviation model aimed at improving international connectivity from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. The initiative
supports the country’s goal of becoming a global aviation hub by 2047. Varanasi has been selected as the first spoke city under the new system.
The first service under this model was launched by Air India from Varanasi on Thursday as an “Easy Connect” flight.
What is hub-and-spoke model?
The hub-and-spoke system is an aviation network where smaller cities, known as spokes, are connected to major airports called hubs. From these hubs, passengers take long-haul domestic or international flights.
For example, a passenger flying from Varanasi to London may first fly to Delhi and then connect to an international flight. This removes the need for direct long-haul flights from every city.
Transit time reduced
Under this system, passengers can complete check-in, baggage transfer and immigration at their origin airport itself. After reaching the hub airport, they can directly move to the international departure area.
Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha said the service was launched in Varanasi as part of the government’s push to simplify global travel from smaller cities.
Varanasi has become the first spoke city in this network. The inaugural Air India flight, AI1111, connected passengers to destinations including Riyadh, Dubai, Singapore, London and Frankfurt through Delhi.
The service currently offers connectivity to 17 international destinations, strengthening global access for travellers from smaller cities.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said six more spoke cities will be added in the next six weeks, expanding the network rapidly.
The model is expected to improve aircraft utilisation, reduce congestion at major airports and support regional aviation growth.
How it will help smaller cities
The biggest impact will be on Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities such as Indore, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Coimbatore and Varanasi.
Passengers from these cities will get smoother access to global destinations without needing direct international flights. Business travel, tourism and exports are also expected to benefit.
Airlines will also be able to integrate smaller cities into global networks instead of treating them as isolated routes.
