New aviation initiative simplifies international travel from Tier-II and Tier-III cities, boosting tourism, hospitality and regional economic growth

Key Highlights

• Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu launched India’s first ‘Easy Connect’ international flight from Varanasi.
• The initiative marks the rollout of India’s Hub-and-Spoke international aviation model.
• International passengers can now complete check-in, immigration and customs at their origin airport before connecting via major hubs like Delhi.
• The government plans to expand the model to more Tier-II and Tier-III airports across the country.
• Aviation hub development is projected to contribute USD 30 billion to India’s GDP and generate around 4 lakh jobs by 2030.
• The long-term vision aims to establish India as a global aviation hub by 2047.

Government Launches ‘Easy Connect’ Service to Simplify International Travel from Regional India

New Delhi, June 26, 2026: In a major step towards transforming India into a global aviation hub, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu has launched the country’s first ‘Easy Connect’ international flight under the Hub-and-Spoke model from Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi.

The initiative is designed to make international travel more convenient for passengers from Tier-II and Tier-III cities by allowing them to complete all international departure formalities—including check-in, immigration and customs—at their hometown airport before connecting through major Indian aviation hubs such as Delhi.

Launching the service, the Minister described the initiative as a significant milestone in building a more accessible, efficient and globally competitive aviation ecosystem.

“Our new hub-and-spoke model enables passengers to begin their international journey directly from their home city, making global travel easier, faster and more seamless,” he said.

To mark the inaugural service, the Minister presented commemorative boarding passes to the first passengers travelling on the Easy Connect flight.

Senior officials, including Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary Puneet Kansal, Airports Authority of India Chairman Vipin Kumar, and Air India CEO & MD Campbell Wilson, attended the launch.

How the Hub-and-Spoke Model Works

Under the new system, passengers travelling internationally from cities like Varanasi complete all departure formalities before boarding their domestic connecting flight. Once they arrive at the designated hub airport, they proceed directly to their international flight without undergoing immigration or customs procedures again.

The Ministry has also introduced dedicated operational safeguards, including separate boarding passes for domestic and international passengers, designated international operations on both flight sectors, and strict passenger segregation to ensure seamless security and compliance.

The government plans to expand the Easy Connect model to more regional airports, further strengthening India’s international aviation network.

Hospitality & Tourism Impact

The launch of Easy Connect is expected to significantly improve international accessibility from India’s emerging tourism destinations and regional cities. For the hospitality sector, the initiative opens new opportunities for hotels, resorts, travel companies and destination management firms by making global travel more convenient for outbound passengers while enhancing inbound connectivity to culturally significant destinations such as Varanasi.

Improved international air access is likely to boost religious tourism, heritage tourism, MICE travel and premium leisure tourism, while encouraging investments in airport infrastructure, hospitality developments and tourism services across Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

Beyond tourism, the government’s projections indicate that the Hub-and-Spoke strategy could generate approximately 4 lakh direct and indirect jobs and add nearly USD 30 billion to India’s GDP by 2030, reinforcing aviation’s role as a key driver of India’s travel economy.

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