The Government of India has issued a new standard operating procedure (SOP) to operationalise a hub-and-spoke aviation model, signalling a major structural shift in how international air travel will be routed across the country.
The move is aimed at enabling seamless connectivity between domestic and international flights while strengthening India’s ambitions of emerging as a global aviation hub.
Under the new framework, passengers travelling from smaller ‘spoke’ airports will be able to connect to international destinations through major ‘hub’ airports with fewer transit hassles. The model is designed to simplify processes such as immigration clearance and baggage transfers, significantly improving the passenger experience.
According to the SOP, immigration and customs checks will now be conducted at the first port of departure and the final destination, while baggage will be transferred airside at the hub airport. This will eliminate the need for passengers to re-check baggage or undergo repeated security and immigration clearances during transit.
The framework also introduces several operational changes, including mandatory DigiYatra enrolment for Indian passengers travelling on the international leg, issuance of dual boarding passes for domestic and international sectors, and the appointment of dedicated nodal officers to ensure passenger segregation and security compliance.
The SOP was developed after consultations with airlines, airports and regulatory agencies, reflecting a coordinated effort to modernise India’s aviation ecosystem while improving infrastructure efficiency and easing congestion at major metro airports.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the move, calling it a transformative step that could expand international connectivity beyond metropolitan cities and improve access for travellers from Tier II and Tier III markets.
Air India has backed the government’s initiative and announced plans to introduce international connectivity from Varanasi under the new model.
“This is a transformative step for Indian aviation. We would like to thank the Hon’ble Prime Minister for his vision to make India a global aviation hub and develop the entire aviation ecosystem,” said Campbell Wilson.
“The hub-and-spoke model will not only strengthen connectivity but also ensure optimal use of airport infrastructure developed across the country. It will create a strong multiplier effect and act as a catalyst for India’s broader growth,” he added.
Wilson also acknowledged the role of the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Civil Aviation Secretary in coordinating with airlines, airports and government agencies to ensure operational readiness while addressing passenger convenience and security concerns.
As part of its network expansion strategy aligned with the new framework, Air India plans to launch international services from Varanasi, enhancing the city’s connectivity with global destinations and improving travel access for passengers from surrounding regions.
P. Balaji, Group Head – Governance, Risk, Compliance and Corporate Affairs at Air India, said the move would significantly benefit travellers from smaller cities.
“The introduction of international hub-and-spoke connectivity from Varanasi underscores our focus on expanding India’s global aviation footprint beyond metros. It will provide a tremendous boost to international travellers from India’s Tier II and Tier III cities by reducing travel time while making journeys seamless and convenient,” he said.
The new model marks a fundamental shift for India’s aviation sector from being largely an end-destination market to evolving into a broader global transit ecosystem. Industry experts believe it could help airlines optimise fleet utilisation while decentralising passenger processing and reducing pressure on major airports.