India's Third Hub-and-Spoke Operations Launched from Ahmedabad Airport

The Ministry of Civil Aviation launched international hub-and-spoke flight operations at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on September 1, 2026, marking the third Indian city to receive this facility. Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu, along with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, inaugurated the service, which will make international travel significantly smoother for passengers flying out of Gujarat.

What Is Hub and Spoke Operation? 

Under the hub-and-spoke model, passengers travelling from smaller cities, referred to as "spokes," are routed through a major central airport called the "hub," from where they connect to international flights. What makes this system convenient is that all baggage, customs, and immigration checks are completed at the departure airport, meaning passengers don't need to repeat these procedures when transferring flights at the hub. With automated baggage transfer and simplified processes, both travel time for passengers and operational costs for airlines are reduced. 

Ahmedabad Becomes Third Indian City with the Service

1. Ahmedabad now joins Amritsar and Varanasi as the third city under this framework, and it will offer connectivity via Delhi to around 15 international destinations. 
2. Given Gujarat's large NRI population, strong industrial base, and Ahmedabad's growing global links, this facility is expected to particularly benefit business travellers, tourists, and residents flying abroad. 
3. Sectors like hospitality, tourism, textiles, pharmaceuticals, gems and jewellery, and manufacturing are also likely to see a positive push from improved air connectivity.

About UDAN Scheme

This launch ties into the government's broader push to expand regional and international air connectivity across India. Since 2014, the number of operational airports in the country has grown from 74 to more than 160, with plans to add another 100 airports over the next decade under the expanded UDAN scheme. Civil aviation is increasingly being viewed as a key driver of economic growth, employment generation, and trade expansion. Alongside infrastructure growth, passenger-focused initiatives such as UDAN Yatri Cafes, airport libraries, and digital boarding passes are also being introduced to improve the overall travel experience. Officials noted that Ahmedabad is well-positioned to become a major international connectivity hub, given its global diaspora reach and strong business ecosystem, with the government continuing to strengthen regional connectivity across the country in the coming years.