Amritsar airport embraces hub-and-spoke model, becomes North India's international gateway

Amritsar (Punjab): Amritsar has launched the Centre's new hub-and-spoke flight connectivity model, making international travel easier for passengers. They can now complete check-in, immigration, customs clearance and baggage drop at Amritsar airport before boarding connecting international flights through Delhi.

The initiative was inaugurated on Tuesday in the presence of senior aviation officials, while Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu addressed the event virtually.

Under the new system, passengers travelling from Amritsar to international destinations such as London, Toronto and Dubai will complete all pre-departure formalities at Amritsar itself. Their baggage will be checked through to the final destination, eliminating the need to repeat immigration, customs and baggage procedures during transit at Delhi airport.

Speaking at the launch, Naidu said the new model would significantly reduce travel time and make international journeys more convenient.

"If anyone from Punjab wanted to travel to London, Toronto, or Dubai, they had to reach Delhi, handle their luggage again, stand in long queues, and go through immigration. Half the day would be spent in this rush and hassle. But now, you will complete immigration and check-in right at the Amritsar airport. Your baggage will be checked in at Amritsar and go straight to your international destination, where you will collect it. Check-in, immigration, customs, and baggage drop-off will all happen right here. In Delhi, you will simply catch your connecting flight. You will be on your international flight within a window of just 4 hours," he said.

The minister noted that around 150,000 passengers travel annually between Amritsar and Delhi to connect with international flights, while a similar number arrive in Delhi from overseas before travelling onwards to Amritsar.

Amritsar to emerge as North India's international gateway

Naidu said the initiative would strengthen Amritsar's position as an international aviation hub for North India, serving passengers from Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh.

He also highlighted the potential economic benefits, saying improved air connectivity would support tourism, hospitality, cargo, logistics, handicrafts and textile industries across the region.

"Of the approximately 30 million Indians living abroad, nearly 10 million are Punjabis...as air connectivity increases, Amritsar's economy will directly benefit. An influx of passengers will boost business for hotels and allied sectors. Sectors like handicrafts, textiles, cargo, and logistics will gain new momentum. The hub and spoke model will increase revenue per flight for our airlines, particularly in the international long-haul market," he said.

Government plans nationwide expansion

Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha described the launch as a "historic day" and said the initiative builds on the first hub-and-spoke model introduced at Varanasi on June 25.

He said the model aims to simplify international transit by allowing passengers to complete immigration, customs and baggage screening at their departure airport before travelling to a major hub for onward international flights.

According to Sinha, the Ministry of Civil Aviation plans to gradually expand the network by establishing four major hubs and around 40 spokes across the country.

He said all international airports in the country are expected to be integrated into the system over time, providing passengers with smoother domestic-to-international flight connections.