New Delhi, July 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Amritsar has become the second airport in the country, after Varanasi, to be integrated into India’s Hub-and-Spoke international flight network, a move aimed at significantly enhancing international connectivity for passengers from Punjab and neighbouring states.
Announcing the rollout on Tuesday, the government said the new system will enable passengers departing from Amritsar to access more than 20 international destinations through Delhi with a single check-in and a single baggage tag, eliminating the need for repeated immigration and customs procedures during transit.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the initiative would transform the travel experience for international passengers. Until now, Amritsar offered direct connectivity to only seven overseas destinations, forcing many travellers to transit through Delhi.
According to the Ministry, nearly 1.5 lakh passengers travel annually from Amritsar to Delhi to board international flights, while a similar number arrive via Delhi before continuing to Amritsar. The integrated model is expected to increase passenger traffic by making international travel more convenient.
Under the new arrangement, international passengers will complete check-in, immigration and customs formalities at Amritsar itself. Their baggage will be checked through to the final destination, allowing seamless transfers at Delhi, the designated hub airport, without repeating clearance procedures.
The launch follows the successful implementation of India’s first Hub-and-Spoke international operations from Varanasi on June 25, where passengers have already been connected to 18 overseas destinations via Delhi.
Naidu said Amritsar is well positioned to emerge as a major international gateway for Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh because of its strong diaspora links and strategic regional importance.
The government said the initiative is expected to strengthen tourism, trade, investment and regional economic development. Ministry estimates project that aviation hub operations could generate nearly 0.4 million direct and indirect jobs and contribute an additional $30 billion to India’s economy by 2030. By 2047, the sector’s cumulative impact is projected to support around 16 million jobs and add nearly $1.4 trillion to the national economy.
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