{"id":145509,"date":"2026-06-09T22:08:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T16:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=145509"},"modified":"2026-06-09T21:26:54","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T15:56:54","slug":"air-india-launches-easy-connect-flights-under-hub-and-spoke-model","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/09\/air-india-launches-easy-connect-flights-under-hub-and-spoke-model\/","title":{"rendered":"Air India Launches Easy Connect Flights from Varanasi Under Hub-And-Spoke Model"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

GURUGRAM-<\/strong> Tata Group-owned Air India (AI)<\/a> has opened bookings for its first flights under the Government of India’s hub-and-spoke model, branding them as ‘Easy Connect’ flights and allowing travellers from smaller cities to drop baggage and clear immigration at their origin airport before flying onward worldwide. The service begins from Varanasi (VNS) on 25 June 2026, with a daily flight AI1111 linking the city to the carrier’s primary hub at Delhi (DEL).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the lead carrier driving this model, Air India (AI) plans a phased rollout of Easy Connect flights across multiple cities in the coming months. The structure connects Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities to major hubs such as Delhi (DEL), from where passengers reach an extensive international network, including London Heathrow (LHR), Frankfurt (FRA), Singapore (SIN)<\/a>, and Dubai (DXB).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Air
Photo: avgeekwithlens\/ Harsh Tekriwal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air India Launches Easy Connect Flights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The hub-and-spoke model links ‘spoke’ cities such as Varanasi<\/a> to large ‘hub’ airports like Delhi, where passengers connect to Air India’s global network through a single transit point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The design delivers optimised schedules and a smoother transit experience for travellers from non-metro cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air India designed and implemented the model in close coordination with industry stakeholders. At its core sits a simplified international travel experience built on three features:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through check-in to final destination: Travellers from cities such as Varanasi check in at their home airport all the way to their final international destination. They do not need to collect or re-check baggage at the hub airport, such as Delhi<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immigration at origin: Travellers complete international immigration formalities at their originating airport, avoiding queues and processing at the hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seamless international transit via the hub: Passengers transit through hub airports like Delhi as international travellers, making connections faster and more efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travellers also gain a familiar and comfortable transit environment within India. This avoids the complexity and unfamiliarity usually tied to transiting through foreign hub airports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Air
Photo: Sandeep\/ atc spotter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Varanasi Connects to 17 Global Destinations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The designated Easy Connect flight from Varanasi to Delhi operates daily as AI1111. Within four hours of arrival at Delhi, the flight is timed to provide seamless connections to 17 international destinations<\/strong>, including London Heathrow<\/a>, Frankfurt, Milan, Rome, Zurich, Manila, Singapore, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Riyadh, and Dubai, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The onward connections from Delhi cover a wide range of long-haul and regional routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These include<\/p>\n\n\n\n