The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Tuesday inaugurated Hub-and-Spoke international flight operations from Amritsar, making it the second airport in the country to be integrated into India’s Hub-and-Spoke framework for international passenger movement.
The launch marks the next phase of the government’s strategy to develop India into a global aviation hub by providing seamless international connectivity through Indian hub airports.
The initiative follows the successful rollout of the country’s first Hub-and-Spoke operations from Varanasi on June 25, 2026. Over the past month, passengers travelling from Varanasi have been seamlessly connected through Delhi to 18 international destinations, demonstrating the operational viability of the model and receiving a positive response from travellers.
In a video message, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the Hub-and-Spoke model represents more than an aviation framework.
“Hub & Spoke is not merely an aviation model; it is an opportunity model. Delhi will serve as the hub, while Amritsar will emerge as a major international gateway for Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. With its strong diaspora connections and vast regional catchment, Amritsar is among the Indian cities that stand to benefit the most from this transformation in global connectivity,” he said.
Amritsar, one of India’s key international gateways, caters to pilgrims, members of the Indian diaspora, business travellers and tourists from Punjab and neighbouring states. Its integration into the Hub-and-Spoke framework is expected to improve access to global destinations through Indian hubs while offering passengers a faster and more seamless travel experience.
Highlighting the broader vision behind the initiative, the minister said the government aims to build globally competitive aviation hubs within India.
“Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, India is working towards building its own globally competitive aviation hubs. This is not only about improving passenger convenience; it is about strengthening India’s aviation sovereignty and ensuring that Indian hubs connect India to the world,” he said.
According to ministry estimates, the development of aviation hub operations could generate nearly 0.4 million direct and indirect jobs and contribute an additional USD 30 billion to the Indian economy by 2030. By 2047, the cumulative impact is projected to support around 16 million jobs and contribute nearly USD 1.4 trillion to the economy.
Under the new system, international passengers departing from Amritsar will be able to complete check-in, immigration and customs formalities at the airport itself. Their baggage will be checked through to the final international destination, allowing seamless transfers at the designated hub airport without undergoing immigration or customs procedures again.
Naidu said the initiative would significantly expand international connectivity from Amritsar. While the airport currently offers direct connectivity to seven overseas destinations, passengers will now gain access to more than 20 international destinations through Delhi with a single check-in and baggage tag.
The minister said nearly 1.5 lakh passengers travel annually from Amritsar to Delhi to board international flights, while a similar number arrive from overseas via Delhi before travelling to Amritsar. Passenger traffic is expected to increase as the integrated system simplifies international travel.
Airlines have estimated that nearly 250 passengers per day from Amritsar will benefit from the Hub-and-Spoke model through Delhi. As more spoke airports are added in the coming months, the next phase is expected to facilitate around 1,200 passengers daily, or nearly 4.5 lakh passengers annually, significantly expanding seamless international connectivity from regional India.
The ministry said the Hub-and-Spoke framework is a key pillar of India’s International Aviation Hub Strategy, which aims to strengthen Indian airports as preferred international gateways, improve network efficiency for domestic carriers and reduce dependence on overseas transit hubs. By leveraging India’s strategic location and expanding airport infrastructure, the initiative seeks to retain a larger share of international transfer traffic within the country while enhancing the competitiveness of the aviation sector.
The inauguration of operations from Amritsar marks another milestone in the phased rollout of the strategy. The ministry said additional spoke airports are at advanced stages of operational readiness and will be integrated into the network in phases as part of the government’s vision of building a more connected, efficient and globally competitive aviation ecosystem under Viksit Bharat @2047.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary Puneet Kansal, Airports Authority of India Chairman Vipin Kumar, AAI Chief Advisor Sharad Kumar, Air India Group Head (Governance) P. Balaji, representatives from the Bureau of Immigration, Customs and the CISF, along with members of the aviation, tourism, hospitality and trade sectors.
