Ahmedabad becomes third spoke under international aviation hub strategy
On 1 September 2026 the Ministry of Civil Aviation launched Hub and Spoke international flight operations from Ahmedabad, the third airport after Varanasi and Amritsar. Passengers now complete check-in, immigration and customs at Ahmedabad and connect at the Delhi hub without repeating formalities. The model is part of a strategy to make India an aviation hub by 2030.
- Launch
- 1 Sep 2026, Ahmedabad
- Order
- Varanasi (25 Jun 2026), Amritsar (28 Jul 2026), Ahmedabad
- Hub
- Delhi
- Flights
- AI 1117 (22 destinations), AI 1121 (17 destinations)
- Demand
- 1.6 crore passengers went from Ahmedabad to Delhi for international flights last year
- Next
- 22 more airports, including Surat
The Hub and Spoke international flight model: what happened?
Until now, a traveller from Ahmedabad to Paris or Sydney flew to Delhi, collected bags, cleared immigration in a crowded hub and hoped not to miss the connection. Many simply transited through foreign airports instead. Hub and Spoke lets the smaller airport do the formalities, so the Indian hub becomes the easy choice.
- Check-in, immigration, customs and baggage check-through are done at the spoke airport.
- At the Delhi hub, passengers go straight to their onward international flight.
- AI 1117 links to 22 destinations across Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
- The evening AI 1121, departing at 20:15 hours, links to 17 destinations across North America, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia and Europe.
- The model aims to cut dependence on overseas transit airports.
What is the International Aviation Hub Strategy?
- It aims to make India the preferred aviation hub for Indian travellers by 2030.
- It aims to make India a leading global aviation hub by 2047.
- It uses India’s location and airport infrastructure to route traffic through Indian hubs.
What is the economic case?
| By | Jobs (direct and indirect) | Added to economy |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | about 0.4 million | USD 30 billion to GDP |
| 2047 (cumulative) | about 16 million | nearly USD 1.4 trillion |
Ministry studies cited by PIB, 1 Sep 2026.
Which constitutional entry covers civil aviation?
- Seventh Schedule, List I, Entry 29: Airways; aircraft and air navigation; provision of aerodromes; regulation and organisation of air traffic and of aerodromes.
How does a Hub and Spoke journey work?
- Passenger checks in at Ahmedabad (spoke)
- Immigration and customs cleared at Ahmedabad
- Baggage tagged to the final international destination
- Flight to the Delhi hub
- Direct transfer to the onward international flight, no repeat formalities
Why does the Hub and Spoke international flight model matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| Tier-II cities | Direct international access without a separate domestic leg. |
| Indian carriers | Traffic stays on Indian hubs instead of foreign transit airports. |
| Gujarat economy | Textile, pharma, diamond, gems and engineering sectors gain from easier travel. |
| Events | Ahmedabad prepares for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. |
| Infrastructure | Better use of airport capacity across the network. |
What are the challenges in the Hub and Spoke international flight model?
- Delhi’s hub capacity must keep pace as more spokes join.
- Immigration and customs staff are needed at each spoke airport.
- The model depends on enough onward international flights from the hub.
What should be done next on the Hub and Spoke international flight model?
- Extend Hub and Spoke to 22 more airports, including Surat.
- Track passenger shift from foreign transit hubs.
- Build towards the 2030 and 2047 hub targets.
What can Prelims ask on the Hub and Spoke international flight model?
- Hub and Spoke spokes: Varanasi (25 Jun 2026), Amritsar (28 Jul 2026), Ahmedabad (1 Sep 2026); hub at Delhi.
- International Aviation Hub Strategy: preferred hub for Indians by 2030; global hub by 2047.
- Airways and aerodromes: Union List, Entry 29.
How to write about the Hub and Spoke international flight model in Mains
Practice question (10 marks, 150 words): Explain the Hub and Spoke model of international aviation. How can it help India become a global aviation hub?
- Intro: Hub and Spoke; Varanasi, Amritsar, Ahmedabad.
- How it works: formalities at spoke, direct hub transfer.
- Benefits: Tier-II access, jobs, GDP, Indian carriers.
- Challenges: hub capacity, staffing.
- Conclusion: 2030 and 2047 targets.
What should UPPCS aspirants note?
- Varanasi in UP was the first spoke airport under Hub and Spoke, launched on 25 June 2026.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-09-01): civil Aviation Ministry launched hub-and-spoke international operations from Ahmedabad, the third spoke after Varanasi and Amritsar.
- Aims to make India an aviation hub.
Quotable data pointCivil Aviation Ministry launched hub-and-spoke international operations from Ahmedabad, the third spoke after Varanasi and Amritsar.
PIB: Civil Aviation: hub & spoke from Ahmedabad, 1 Sep 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: hub-and-spoke model.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
The first spoke airport under India's Hub and Spoke international flight model was
Answer (c) & explanation
PIB, 1 Sep 2026: launched 25 June 2026.
Under Hub and Spoke, immigration for an outbound international passenger is completed at
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB, 1 Sep 2026.
"Airways; aircraft and air navigation" is an entry in
Answer (a) & explanation
Constitution: List I, Entry 29.
Questions students ask about this
Which was the third spoke airport under Hub and Spoke?
Ahmedabad, launched on 1 September 2026, after Varanasi and Amritsar.
What changes for passengers?
Check-in, immigration, customs and baggage check-through are completed at the spoke airport, with no repeat formalities at the Delhi hub.
What are the targets of the International Aviation Hub Strategy?
To make India the preferred aviation hub for Indian travellers by 2030 and a leading global aviation hub by 2047.
Which airports are next?
22 more airports in this phase, including Surat.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: Civil Aviation: hub & spoke from Ahmedabad, 1 Sep 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending