Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has launched hub-and-spoke international flight operations, becoming the third airport in India to be integrated into the country’s new framework for seamless international passenger movement.
The initiative, launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is designed to simplify international travel for passengers by allowing them to complete major travel formalities at Ahmedabad before connecting through Delhi to overseas destinations. Ahmedabad joins Varanasi and Amritsar, where similar hub-and-spoke operations have already been introduced under India’s International Aviation Hub Strategy.
Ahmedabad Becomes India’s Third Spoke Airport
The launch marks another step in the government’s plan to create an integrated aviation network that connects cities across India with international destinations through major Indian hub airports.
Hub-and-spoke operations were first launched from Varanasi on June 25, 2026, followed by Amritsar on July 28. With Ahmedabad now added to the network, the government is continuing the phased expansion of the model across the country.
The launch event in Ahmedabad was attended by Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol and other officials.
The addition of Ahmedabad is considered significant because of Gujarat’s strong international travel demand and its large global diaspora. The city also serves as an important business centre for sectors including textiles, pharmaceuticals, diamonds, gems and engineering.
What Is the Hub-and-Spoke Model?
Under the hub-and-spoke aviation system, an airport such as Ahmedabad functions as a “spoke” connected to a major central hub, in this case Delhi.
Passengers travelling from Ahmedabad to international destinations can begin their international travel process at their originating airport. Instead of completing domestic travel procedures in Ahmedabad and then repeating international check-in, immigration and baggage procedures after reaching Delhi, eligible passengers can complete key formalities before leaving Ahmedabad.
After arriving at the designated hub airport, passengers can proceed to their onward international flight without repeating immigration or customs procedures.
The system is intended to make international connections smoother, reduce procedural delays and provide passengers with a more seamless travel experience.
Immigration and Baggage Formalities Completed in Ahmedabad
One of the biggest advantages of the Ahmedabad airport hub-and-spoke model is the ability to complete immigration and baggage procedures at the point of departure.
Until now, a passenger travelling from Ahmedabad to destinations such as Paris, Toronto or Sydney would typically travel to Delhi first and then complete additional procedures before boarding an international flight.
Under the new system, passengers can complete check-in and immigration formalities in Ahmedabad, while their baggage can be checked through to the final international destination.
This eliminates the need to collect and re-check baggage during the transit process at Delhi and reduces the need for passengers to navigate multiple queues and procedures at the hub airport.
The model is expected to be particularly beneficial for families, elderly passengers and travellers who may find complex airport transfers difficult.
Air India Launches Easy Connect Services
Air India has operationalised the hub-and-spoke model from Ahmedabad through its new “Easy Connect” services.
The airline has introduced two daily Easy Connect flights between Ahmedabad and Delhi, offering passengers seamless onward connectivity to 26 international destinations within four hours of arriving in the national capital.
The destinations span major regions, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, Asia-Pacific, Southeast Asia and the Gulf.
The evening Easy Connect service, AI1121, offers onward connectivity to destinations including Singapore, Seoul, Colombo, Bangkok, Hanoi, Phuket, Dubai, Toronto, Sydney and London.
The services are expected to strengthen Ahmedabad’s role as an international gateway for travellers across Gujarat who previously had to manage separate domestic and international travel processes while connecting through Delhi.
Government Aims to Strengthen Indian Aviation Hubs
The hub-and-spoke initiative forms an important part of the government’s International Aviation Hub Strategy.
The broader objective is to encourage a greater share of international passengers travelling to and from India to transit through Indian airports rather than relying on overseas aviation hubs.
According to Air India, a large share of passengers travelling long-haul to and from India currently use connecting flights, with many transiting through foreign airports.
The government’s strategy seeks to use India’s geographical position and expanding airport infrastructure to strengthen domestic aviation hubs and retain more international transit traffic within the country.
The long-term vision is to position India as a preferred aviation hub for Indian travellers by 2030 and as a leading global aviation hub by 2047.
Ahmedabad’s International Connectivity Set to Improve
The launch is expected to significantly improve access to international destinations for passengers travelling from Ahmedabad and other parts of Gujarat.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said Ahmedabad’s global connectivity, Gujarat’s large NRI population and the requirements of trade and industry make the hub-and-spoke system particularly important for the region.
The new framework is also expected to make international travel more convenient by reducing the uncertainty and complexity associated with connecting flights.
For passengers, completing key procedures at their home airport could mean less time spent navigating unfamiliar processes during transit at a large hub airport.
India Plans Wider Expansion of Hub-and-Spoke Network
Ahmedabad’s inclusion is part of a larger nationwide rollout.
Air India has said it plans to progressively connect additional spoke cities with its major hubs in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Earlier plans for the Easy Connect network identified several cities for phased expansion, including Guwahati, Chennai, Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, Patna, Vadodara and Visakhapatnam, among others.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation is also working towards expanding the wider hub-and-spoke framework to more airports in phases.
A broader network could make international travel more accessible for passengers from cities that do not have direct flights to a large number of overseas destinations.
Ahmedabad Airport Hub-and-Spoke Model Marks Major Aviation Step
The launch of the Ahmedabad airport hub-and-spoke model represents an important development in India’s efforts to transform its international aviation ecosystem.
By allowing passengers to complete key international travel formalities at Ahmedabad and then transit seamlessly through Delhi, the system aims to reduce procedural difficulties and improve the overall passenger experience.
Ahmedabad’s position as the third spoke airport after Varanasi and Amritsar also demonstrates the gradual expansion of the government’s International Aviation Hub Strategy.
As the network grows to include more Indian cities and airports, the hub-and-spoke model could reshape the way passengers travel internationally from regional centres. For Ahmedabad and Gujarat, the new operations are expected to strengthen global connectivity, support business and diaspora travel, and bring the world closer to passengers beginning their journeys from the state.