Air India starts Easy Connect flights from Amritsar to 27 international destinations

Air India on Tuesday launched its Easy Connect services from Amritsar, extending the Government of India's hub-and-spoke aviation initiative to Punjab and enabling passengers to travel to 27 international destinations through Delhi with a single, seamless connection.

Under the programme, passengers can complete through check-in to their final international destination and clear immigration formalities at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar before boarding. Their baggage is checked through to the final destination, allowing them to transit through Delhi without changing terminals or re-checking baggage.

Also Reads| Govt plans 44 airports for Hub and Spoke flights to boost global connectivity


The airline has designated two daily Amritsar-Delhi flights as Easy Connect services. Flight AI1113 departs Amritsar at 9:10 am and reaches Delhi at 10:40 am, while AI1115 departs at 10:00 pm and arrives in Delhi at 11:20 pm.

Together, the two flights provide onward connections within four hours to 27 international destinations across the US, Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, West Asia and Southeast Asia.

Designed for faster international connections

Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said the expansion reflects the government's plan to build an aviation network that extends global connectivity beyond India's metropolitan cities.

"The expansion of hub-and-spoke operations to Amritsar is another step towards our vision of building an aviation network that truly serves a New India - one where global access is no longer confined to a handful of metropolitan centres but extends to every region of the country. By strengthening connectivity through Indian hubs, we are strengthening the foundation for a more integrated, accessible, and globally competitive aviation ecosystem," Naidu said.

"With these flights, Punjab becomes closer to the rest of the world, deepening connections with its vibrant global diaspora and unlocking new opportunities for tourism, economic growth, and cultural exchange," he added.

Also Read| What is India’s new hub-and-spoke model and how will airport immigration change?

The morning Easy Connect service is designed for onward travel to European destinations including London Heathrow, Birmingham, Paris, Milan, Copenhagen, Vienna, Amsterdam, Zurich, Frankfurt and Rome, along with select destinations in Southeast Asia and West Asia.

The late-evening service offers connections to destinations including New York, Newark, San Francisco, Chicago, Toronto, Vancouver, Melbourne, Sydney, Singapore, Phuket, Bali and Dubai.

Inbound service and nationwide expansion planned

Air India also said it will become the first Indian airline to implement the Ministry of Civil Aviation's standard operating procedure for inbound hub-and-spoke operations. This will allow international passengers arriving in Delhi to transfer seamlessly to domestic flights for Amritsar. The inbound Easy Connect model is expected to begin within the next two months.

P. Balaji, Group Head – Governance, Risk, Compliance & Corporate Affairs at Air India, said the service would simplify overseas travel for Punjab's large diaspora, particularly those travelling to destinations in North America, the UK and Australia.

The launch follows the nationwide rollout of the Easy Connect programme announced in June 2026. After Varanasi and Amritsar, Air India plans to introduce the service from Ahmedabad, Goa, Kochi and several other Indian cities in the coming weeks.

Why Easy Connect matters

According to Air India, nearly 25 million passengers travel on long-haul routes to and from India every year. Around 20 million of them are connecting passengers, with about 85% currently transiting through overseas hubs instead of Indian airports.

The Easy Connect initiative aims to shift more of that traffic through Indian hubs as part of the government's strategy to strengthen India as an international aviation gateway.

Indian passport holders using Easy Connect flights for international journeys are required to enrol in DigiYatra. Bookings are available through Air India's website, mobile app, contact centre and travel agents.