Air India Launches Easy Connect Flights, Making International Travel Simpler from Varanasi
Air India has opened bookings for its first Easy Connect flights, introducing a new travel model designed to simplify international journeys for passengers flying from India’s smaller cities. The initiative marks the airline’s first rollout under the Government of India’s hub-and-spoke aviation framework, with Varanasi becoming the launch city on June 25, 2026.
Designed to make international travel more seamless, the new service allows passengers to complete check-in, baggage drop, and immigration formalities at their departure airport before connecting through Delhi to destinations across Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
For travelers, the change represents a significant shift in how international journeys begin.
Under the hub-and-spoke model, regional cities such as Varanasi function as “spokes” connected to major hub airports like Delhi. Rather than navigating multiple airport procedures, passengers can now check in at their home airport all the way through to their final destination, creating a more streamlined travel experience from the very start.
One of the most notable features of Air India’s Easy Connect flights is through check-in to the final destination. Travelers departing from Varanasi can have their baggage checked through to cities including London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Milan, Rome, Zurich, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Phuket, Riyadh, and Dubai, eliminating the need to reclaim and recheck luggage in Delhi.
The service also introduces immigration processing at the point of origin. By completing immigration formalities in Varanasi before departure, passengers can avoid additional processing and long queues at Delhi Airport, making onward connections faster and more efficient. Once they arrive in Delhi, they transit as international travelers and proceed directly to their departing flights.
Air India’s first Easy Connect service will operate daily between Varanasi and Delhi as flight AI1111. Timed to align with the airline’s international schedules, the flight will offer seamless connections within four hours to 17 destinations across Air India’s global network.
Beyond convenience, the rollout reflects a broader transformation in India’s aviation landscape. As international travel demand continues to grow beyond major metropolitan centers, airlines and government agencies are increasingly focused on strengthening global connectivity for travelers living in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Speaking about the initiative, P. Balaji, Group Head – Governance, Risk, Compliance & Corporate Affairs at Air India, emphasized the collaboration required to bring the project to life.
“The successful implementation of the hub-and-spoke model requires close coordination across airlines, airports, and multiple government agencies, and we are grateful for the strong collaboration that has enabled this rollout. Air India is committed to continuing to work closely with all stakeholders across the industry and the Government of India as we expand this model to more cities and phases. Together, we are building a more efficient, integrated, and globally competitive aviation ecosystem for India.”
As the lead carrier driving the implementation of the hub-and-spoke model, Air India plans to expand Easy Connect flights to additional cities in phases over the coming months. Future services will operate under the AI11XX flight series, creating a distinct identity for the growing network.
For travelers in cities such as Varanasi, the impact is both practical and transformative. International travel no longer begins with multiple airport formalities and complicated transfers. Instead, it starts closer to home, with a smoother path to destinations across the world.
