New Delhi, 28 July (H.S.): The Central Government on Tuesday launched international flight services from Amritsar Airport under the hub-and-spoke model. With this initiative, Amritsar has become the second airport in the country after Varanasi to be connected with this system.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, in a statement, said that the hub-and-spoke international flight operation facility from Amritsar has been launched. Until now, international flights from Amritsar were available only to seven direct destinations. With the implementation of the new system, passengers from Amritsar will now be able to access the global network of Delhi Airport and travel conveniently to more than 20 international destinations.

Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, in a video message on the occasion, congratulated all stakeholders present at Amritsar Airport and said that the hub-and-spoke model is not merely an aviation operational framework but a significant opportunity for growth.

He said Delhi will function as the central hub, while Amritsar will emerge as a major international gateway for Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh. He added that Amritsar is among the Indian cities that will benefit the most from this transformation due to its strong connection with the Indian diaspora and its large regional population, enabling better global connectivity.

The minister said passengers will now be able to complete their entire international journey through a single check-in process and a single baggage tag. This will make travel easier and more convenient compared to the existing system.

Naidu said that every year nearly 150,000 passengers travel from Amritsar to Delhi to catch international flights, while around 150,000 passengers also reach Amritsar from overseas destinations via Delhi. The new system is expected to further increase passenger traffic.

According to the ministry, under the new arrangement, international passengers will be able to complete check-in, immigration and customs procedures at Amritsar Airport itself. Their baggage will be transferred directly to their final international destination. On arrival at Delhi Airport, passengers will not need to undergo immigration or customs procedures again and can directly board their connecting international flights.

India’s hub-and-spoke model was first introduced at Varanasi Airport on June 25, 2026. Over the past one month, passengers travelling from Varanasi have been connected through Delhi to 18 international destinations.

A study by the Ministry of Civil Aviation indicates that the development of aviation hubs could generate nearly 400,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities. It is also expected to contribute an additional US$30 billion to India’s economy by 2030. Overall, by 2047, the aviation sector is estimated to create nearly 16 million direct and indirect jobs and contribute around US$1.4 trillion to the national economy.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar