India's new hub-and-spoke aviation model has moved into operation with Air India's first Easy Connect service from Varanasi via Delhi. The inaugural flight, AI1111, departed Varanasi on 25 June 2026 and is designed for passengers connecting from an Indian city to an onward international Air India flight through a major hub.
For eligible outbound journeys, passengers complete international check-in and immigration at the origin airport rather than repeating the process at Delhi. Checked baggage is sent through to the final international destination, and passengers continue through the international transfer process at the hub.
The first service starts with Varanasi to Delhi connections. Air India says flight AI1111 connects within four hours to 17 international destinations from Delhi, including London, Rome, Milan, Frankfurt, Zurich, Dubai, Riyadh and Jeddah. The airline's launch statement also names destinations such as Colombo, Kathmandu and Phuket among routes used by passengers on the first service.
Who can use the new process
Air India's passenger guidance says the Easy Connect process currently applies to outbound journeys from India to international destinations. It does not apply to inbound journeys into India.
A booking qualifies only when all key conditions are met: the first leg is an AI 11XX series flight, the itinerary includes onward international travel, and the connection time between arrival at the hub and departure of the international flight is four hours or less. If the onward connection is more than four hours away, standard customs and immigration procedures apply at Delhi.
For foreign passport holders, Air India says DigiYatra is not required, but document verification will take place in the transfer area at Delhi. Indian passport holders connecting internationally under Easy Connect must be enrolled in DigiYatra and keep the app active for the transfer process.
Airport steps travelers should plan for
- Arrive at least three hours before departure for Easy Connect journeys, as check-in and immigration are handled at the origin airport.
- Web check-in is not available for Easy Connect hub-and-spoke flights.
- Keep the physical boarding pass and passport or photo ID accessible during the trip and transfer.
- Customs declaration facilities are not available at spoke airports under this programme. Travelers carrying high-value or dutiable goods may need a different itinerary.
- Some AI 11XX domestic legs may depart from or arrive at international terminals, even when the first sector is within India.
Travelers who are only flying domestically on an AI 11XX service, such as Varanasi to Delhi with no onward international flight, do not use the Easy Connect immigration process. Air India says these passengers should still expect airport check-in rather than web check-in and should retain their boarding pass until arrival.
More Indian cities are planned
Air India says it plans a phased rollout from additional cities over the next few months. The airline lists Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Chennai, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, Patna, Vadodara and Visakhapatnam as planned additions. Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru are described by the airline as primary hubs for the broader rollout.
The practical effect for travelers will depend on the exact route, airline, flight number and connection time. Anyone booking a multi-leg international trip from India should check whether the first domestic leg is in the AI 11XX series and whether the airline marks the itinerary as Easy Connect before relying on the new airport process.
Primary sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Air India says the process applies to eligible outbound journeys from India where the first leg is an AI 11XX series flight, the passenger has an onward international flight, and the connection at the hub is four hours or less.
No. Air India's passenger guidance says Easy Connect currently applies to outbound journeys from India to international destinations and does not apply to inbound journeys.
No. Air India says web check-in is not available for Easy Connect hub-and-spoke journeys. Passengers should arrive at the airport early and complete check-in in person.
