Air India has taken a major step in the Indian aviation sector by launching its first ‘Easy Connect’ flight. This new service operates under the Government of India’s hub-and-spoke model, designed to link cities across India with the world more smoothly.
The inaugural flight, AI1111, departed from Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport at 09:23 AM on Friday. Passengers on this flight connected through Delhi to nine international destinations, including Dubai, Colombo, Jeddah, Riyadh, Kathmandu, and Phuket.
The launch event saw Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr. Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, inaugurate the flight. He emphasized that this move fits the government’s vision for accessible air travel and a self-reliant, efficient Indian aviation industry. He highlighted how the hub-and-spoke model lets people start their international journeys from their home cities confidently, connecting to global destinations on Indian carriers.
Several key officials joined the ceremony, including Mr. Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation; Mr. Puneet Kansal, Additional Secretary; Mr. Vipin Kumar, Chairman of Airports Authority of India; and Mr. Campbell Wilson, Air India’s CEO and Managing Director.
This launch marks the start of a phased nationwide rollout by Air India. The airline plans to connect more domestic “spoke” cities to main hubs in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Cities such as Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Chennai, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, Patna, Vadodara, and Visakhapatnam are set to offer Easy Connect services soon. This program aims to simplify international travel for millions of Indians.
Campbell Wilson, Air India’s CEO, said that many Indian travelers have had to transit through foreign airports, which often lowered comfort and convenience. He expressed appreciation for the government’s support in making this framework possible. Wilson noted that families in cities like Varanasi, Amritsar, or Visakhapatnam should begin their trips from their own cities without dealing with unfamiliar transit points abroad. He stressed that they deserve a seamless and comfortable journey on Indian soil.
Each year, about 25 million passengers fly long-haul to and from India. Among them, nearly 20 million are connecting travelers, and about 85 percent currently transit via foreign hubs instead of Indian airports.
Easy Connect flights let passengers fly from spoke airports to hub airports and then connect internationally without hassles. Travelers can check in through to their final destination while still at the origin airport, complete immigration clearance before departure, and transit through the hub without rechecking baggage. This process removes repeated steps and reduces the complexity usually felt when switching flights abroad.
Passengers using these services must complete certain steps, including enrollment in the DigiYatra system, which facilitates a smooth experience. Indian passport holders must enroll in DigiYatra and upload their boarding passes before departure. The airline has noted that services like web check-in and customs declaration do not take place at spoke airports.
Bookings for Easy Connect flights are open through Air India’s website, mobile app, contact centers, and travel agents. Flight AI1111 from Varanasi-Delhi offers connections to 17 international destinations within four hours after arriving in Delhi. These include major global cities such as London, Rome, Milan, Frankfurt, and Zurich, as well as regional hubs like Dubai, Riyadh, and Jeddah.
This program aims to change how Indians access international travel, making it more convenient and connecting them to the wider world from their home cities.
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