·
Operationalises
Government of India’s transformative hub-and-spoke model from Amritsar
·
Two
daily ‘Easy Connect’ flights from Amritsar starting today
·
Linking
Amritsar to 27 destinations across North America, UK, Europe, Australia, and
more
AMRITSAR : Air India today
inaugurated ‘Easy Connect’ services from Amritsar, further expanding the
Government of India’s transformative hub-and-spoke model and bringing seamless
global connectivity closer to travellers across Punjab. The launch marks an
important step forward in the initiative’s nationwide rollout announced in June
2026.
As part of the Easy
Connect programme, international travellers from Amritsar can complete through
check-in to their final destinations, clear immigration formalities at Amritsar
airport, and enjoy seamless transfers through Delhi without having to re-check
baggage or change terminals.
This enables travellers
to fly via Delhi as international transit passengers, eliminating the need for
repeated processes and significantly reducing travel complexity and
unfamiliarity often associated with connecting through foreign airports,
including foreign language barriers.
Air India has designated
two daily flights from Amritsar to Delhi as ‘Easy Connect’ services:
·
AI1113:
Departs Amritsar at 09:10 AM and arrives in Delhi at 10:40 AM
·
AI1115:
Departs Amritsar at 10:00 PM and arrives in Delhi at 11:20 PM
Together, these flights
provide seamless onward connectivity to 27 international destinations within
four hours of arrival in Delhi, including destinations in the U.S., Canada,
United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, West Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Commenting at the
launch, Mr Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Hon'ble Minister of Civil Aviation,
Government of India, said: “The expansion of hub-and-spoke operations to
Amritsar is another step towards our vision of building an aviation network
that truly serves a New India - one where global access is no longer confined
to a handful of metropolitan centres but extends to every region of the
country. By strengthening connectivity through Indian hubs, we are
strengthening the foundation for a more integrated, accessible, and globally
competitive aviation ecosystem."
"With these
flights, Punjab becomes closer to the rest of the world, deepening connections
with its vibrant global diaspora and unlocking new opportunities for tourism,
economic growth, and cultural exchange.”
Mr Samir Kumar Sinha,
Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Mr Puneet Kansal, Additional Secretary,
Ministry of Civil Aviation; Mr Vipin Kumar, Chairman, Airports Authority of
India; and Mr P. Balaji, Group Head - Governance, Risk, Compliance & Corporate
Affairs, Air India, along with other senior officials from government agencies,
airport stakeholders, and Air India were present at the inaugural event.
From Punjab to the world
The morning Easy Connect
service from Amritsar (Flight AI1113) is timed to facilitate convenient
onward connections to key European destinations including London Heathrow,
Birmingham, Paris, Milan, Copenhagen, Vienna, Amsterdam, Zurich, Frankfurt, and
Rome, as well as select destinations in Southeast Asia and West Asia.
The late evening service
(Flight AI1115) offers smooth connectivity to destinations in the USA,
Canada, Australia, such as New York (JFK), Newark (New Jersey), San
Francisco, Chicago, Toronto, Vancouver, Melbourne, Sydney, and select
destinations in Southeast Asia and West Asia such as Singapore, Phuket, Bali,
Dubai, among others.
Air India will also
become the first Indian carrier to implement the Ministry of Civil
Aviation's Standard Operating Procedure for inbound hub-and-spoke operations,
enabling seamless international-to-domestic transfers via Delhi for passengers
travelling onwards to Amritsar. The inbound Easy Connect model is expected to
be introduced from Amritsar within the next two months.
P. Balaji, Group Head –
Governance, Risk, Compliance & Corporate Affairs, Air India, said: "Punjab is
home to one of the largest globally connected communities of Indians, with
generations of families, entrepreneurs, students, and professionals forging
strong links with communities around the world, especially the U.S., Canada, United
Kingdom, and Australia. Yet for many travellers, international journeys have
often involved navigating multiple airports, repeated formalities, and lengthy
transit experiences. With Easy Connect flights from Amritsar, travellers can
now begin their overseas journeys from their home city without any hassle. We
are proud to support the Government of India’s vision to bring the world closer
to every Indian while strengthening India’s position as a major global aviation
hub."
Air India is leading a
phased nationwide rollout that will progressively connect more domestic “spoke”
cities in addition to Amritsar and Varanasi to the airline’s primary hubs in
Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, unlocking seamless, end-to-end international
travel for millions of Indians. In the coming weeks, Air India will begin Easy
Connect services from Ahmedabad, Goa, Kochi, and several other Indian cities.
Building India’s role as
a global aviation connector
The Easy Connect
initiative forms part of a broader effort to channel more international traffic
through Indian airports rather than overseas transit hubs. Nearly 25 million
passengers travel long-haul to and from India annually, of which close to 20
million are connecting travellers – and around 85% (approximately 17 million)
of whom currently transit through overseas hubs rather than Indian airports.
Through the Government
of India’s hub-and-spoke framework and Air India’s growing global network, Easy
Connect aims to progressively shift more of this traffic through Indian hubs,
providing travellers with a more familiar, seamless, and nationally integrated
travel experience.
Air India currently
operates the largest international network among Indian carriers, connecting
India to destinations across North America, Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia,
and the Middle East, while its extensive domestic network enables convenient
access from cities across the country.
More about Easy Connect flights
Passengers travelling on Air India’s Easy Connect flights
are required to complete certain pre-departure and transit processes to ensure
a seamless journey, including mandatory DigiYatra enrolment for Indian
nationals. Indian passport holders connecting internationally on Easy Connect
flights are required to enrol in DigiYatra. Web check-in and Customs
declaration are not available at spoke airports.
Bookings for Air India’s Easy Connect flights are available
across all channels, including Air India’s website, mobile app, contact centre,
and travel agents