Ahmedabad has become the third Indian airport to join the government’s Hub & Spoke framework for international passenger travel, following Varanasi and Amritsar. The initiative will allow passengers to complete check-in, immigration and baggage formalities at Ahmedabad before connecting to international flights through Delhi.
The new service was launched in the presence of Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol and Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi.
Under the new arrangement, passengers travelling from Ahmedabad to international destinations will no longer need to repeat immigration and customs procedures after reaching Delhi. Their baggage will also be checked through to the final destination, reducing the number of processes required during the connection.
Two flights will initially support the expanded connectivity. AI 1117 will connect Ahmedabad passengers to 22 destinations, mainly in Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The evening service AI 1121, departing at 20:15 hours, will provide connections to 17 destinations spanning North America, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia and Europe.
The Hub & Spoke model is part of India’s International Aviation Hub Strategy, which aims to establish India as a preferred aviation hub for Indian travellers by 2030 and a leading global aviation hub by 2047. The government expects the approach to strengthen domestic airport connectivity and reduce reliance on overseas transit hubs.
Naidu said 1.6 crore passengers travelled from Ahmedabad to Delhi last year to board international flights. The government expects improved connectivity to benefit Gujarat’s textile, pharmaceutical, diamond and gems, and engineering sectors. Exporters, investors, tourists, students and other travellers are also expected to gain easier access to international markets.
According to ministry studies, aviation hub development could generate around 0.4 million direct and indirect jobs and add USD 30 billion to India’s GDP by 2030. By 2047, the estimated impact could reach approximately 16 million jobs and nearly USD 1.4 trillion in economic contribution.
The government plans to extend the Hub & Spoke framework to 22 more airports during the current phase, including Surat in Gujarat.
Source: This article is based on an official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB)
Press Release: Press Information Bureau
