Air India has opened bookings for its first ‘Easy Connect’ flights under the Government of India’s hub-and-spoke aviation model, enabling passengers from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities to complete baggage check-in and immigration formalities at their origin airport before seamlessly connecting to international destinations.
The new service will commence from Varanasi on June 25, 2026, marking the first phase of a broader rollout that Air India plans to expand across multiple cities in the coming months.
Simplified international travel
Under the hub-and-spoke model, smaller ‘spoke’ cities such as Varanasi are linked to major ‘hub’ airports like Delhi, allowing passengers to access Air India’s global network through a single domestic connection.
The key advantage of the model is a streamlined travel experience. Passengers can check in at their origin airport through to their final international destination, eliminating the need to collect and re-check baggage at the hub airport.
In addition, international immigration formalities will be completed at the originating airport, enabling travellers to transit through Delhi as international passengers and make faster onward connections.
The initiative has been designed by Air India in coordination with airports, government agencies and other industry stakeholders to improve international connectivity from non-metro cities.
Varanasi first to join network
The first Easy Connect service will operate daily between Varanasi and Delhi as flight AI1111. The schedule has been aligned to provide onward connections within four hours to 17 international destinations served by Air India from Delhi. These include London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Milan, Rome, Zurich, Manila, Singapore, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Riyadh and Dubai, among others.
Air India said future hub-and-spoke flights from additional cities will be operated under the ‘AI11XX’ flight series, creating a distinct identity for the Easy Connect network.
Expanding connectivity
The airline said the model is expected to make international travel more convenient for passengers from smaller cities by reducing transit complexities and allowing them to complete key travel formalities closer to home.
Travellers will also benefit from transiting through a familiar Indian airport environment rather than relying on overseas hubs for international connections.
Air India, Group Head – Governance, Risk, Compliance & Corporate Affairs, P. Balaji, said, “The successful implementation of the hub-and-spoke model requires close coordination across airlines, airports, and multiple government agencies, and we are grateful for the strong collaboration that has enabled this rollout. Air India is committed to continuing to work closely with all stakeholders across the industry and the Government of India as we expand this model to more cities and phases.”
Wider rollout planned
Air India said it will expand the Easy Connect network to several additional cities in a phased manner, supporting the development of a more integrated and globally connected aviation ecosystem.
Bookings for Easy Connect flights are now open through Air India’s website, mobile application, contact centre and travel agency partners.