Ahmedabad Hub Flights have started under the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s international hub-and-spoke programme, giving passengers from Gujarat a simpler route to international destinations. The new service was launched at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) in Ahmedabad on 1 September 2026. Union Minister of Civil Aviation K. Ram Mohan Naidu and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the new operations.

Ahmedabad is now the third Indian airport to be included in the ministry’s hub-and-spoke framework. The programme is designed to improve international air connectivity by using major airports as transfer points for passengers travelling from different cities.

Ahmedabad Joins Hub-and-Spoke Network Ahmedabad Hub Flights

The hub-and-spoke model works like a central connection system. In this model, passengers from smaller or regional airports travel to a major airport, known as the hub, and then take connecting flights to other destinations.

The system can help airlines combine passengers from several cities and offer connections to a wider range of destinations. It can also improve the use of existing international flight networks.

Before Ahmedabad, the Ministry of Civil Aviation introduced the framework at Varanasi on 25 June 2026 and Amritsar on 28 July 2026. With Ahmedabad joining the network, the government is gradually expanding the model to more Indian airports.

The latest launch is particularly significant for Gujarat because Ahmedabad is an important commercial and industrial centre with strong domestic and international passenger demand.

Air India Starts Easy Connect Service

Air India has introduced the Ahmedabad service through its “Easy Connect” programme. Under the initial arrangement, two daily Ahmedabad–Delhi flights have been included in the hub-and-spoke network.

The first flight, AI1121, started operating under the programme on 1 September 2026. Another flight, AI1117, joined the service from 2 September.

These flights are designed to act as feeder services, taking passengers from Ahmedabad to Delhi, which serves as the connecting hub for their onward international journeys.

The arrangement gives passengers access to a larger international network without requiring them to arrange separate domestic and international journeys.

International Formalities at Ahmedabad

One of the main features of the new system is that international passengers can complete important travel procedures at Ahmedabad before travelling to Delhi.

Passengers can complete customs, immigration and baggage check-in at their origin airport. After reaching Delhi, they can continue their journey without repeating the same formalities during the transfer.

This can make the connection process easier and reduce the time passengers spend moving between different stages of an international journey.

The government has designed the network so that passengers arriving in Delhi can connect to international destinations within around four hours.

Wider Global Connectivity

The Ahmedabad hub-and-spoke service is expected to improve access to several international regions through Delhi.

The planned connections cover destinations in Europe, North America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Australia. For passengers from Gujarat, this can provide more options for reaching international markets and travel destinations.

Ahmedabad’s growing role in the aviation network also reflects the wider expansion of India’s international air connectivity. As India’s economy grows, demand for business travel, tourism, education and overseas employment continues to influence the country’s aviation sector.

Better connections between regional airports and international hubs can help meet some of this demand.

Government Plans Expansion to More Airports

The Ministry of Civil Aviation plans to expand the hub-and-spoke framework beyond the three airports currently covered.

The government has proposed extending the network to 22 additional airports, with Surat among the airports included in the expansion plan.

The larger strategy aims to create a stronger network in which passengers from more Indian cities can access international destinations through selected hubs.

Instead of requiring every airport to operate direct international flights, the hub-and-spoke approach allows passengers to travel through major connection points. This can give airlines greater flexibility while helping smaller airports connect to the international network.

Impact on Gujarat’s Aviation Sector

Ahmedabad is one of India’s important business centres, and the new service could support the movement of passengers connected with trade, manufacturing, education and other activities.

Gujarat has a large industrial base and strong connections with international markets. Easier air connectivity can help businesses manage international travel more efficiently.

The system may also benefit passengers who previously had to travel to another city before beginning their international journey.

The inclusion of Surat in the future expansion plan could further strengthen Gujarat’s position in India’s aviation network. Together, Ahmedabad and Surat can provide additional access points for international travellers from different parts of the state.

Focus on India’s International Aviation Hub Strategy

The Ahmedabad launch is part of the government’s wider International Aviation Hub Strategy. The strategy focuses on developing India as a stronger international aviation centre and improving connections between Indian cities and global destinations.

The government has cited projections of around 4 lakh direct and indirect jobs from the wider strategy. Studies have also estimated that improved aviation connectivity could contribute around US$30 billion to India’s GDP by 2030.

These projections include the broader economic impact of aviation, such as airport operations, airlines, tourism, logistics, hospitality and related services.

Why the Hub Model Is Important

The hub-and-spoke system can offer several advantages for passengers and airlines. Passengers can access more destinations through one major transfer point, while airlines can connect traffic from several cities to international routes.

For India, the model is particularly useful because the country has a large population spread across many cities and regions. Not every airport can support direct international flights to multiple destinations.

A strong hub network can therefore connect regional airports with international routes through larger airports such as Delhi.

The model can also support India’s growing role in global trade and business. Faster and easier passenger movement is increasingly important as companies expand international operations and supply chains.

Ahmedabad’s New Role in International Travel

With the launch of Ahmedabad Hub Flights, passengers from Gujarat now have a new connection pathway to international destinations through Delhi. The service combines domestic feeder flights with international connections and moves more international travel procedures to the passenger’s starting airport.

The initiative also represents the next stage of India’s effort to build a wider aviation network. Following Varanasi and Amritsar, Ahmedabad has become another important point in the government’s hub-and-spoke programme.

With plans to bring 22 more airports into the network, the model is expected to become a larger part of India’s international aviation system in the coming years.