New Delhi: In a major move aimed at making air travel faster, smoother and more digitally integrated, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is preparing to launch a new “Hub and Spoke Model” for connecting flights from June 1. Under the proposed system, passengers travelling internationally from smaller Indian cities will no longer have to undergo repeated check-in, immigration and customs procedures at large international airports. However, registration on the DigiYatra platform will become mandatory for such travellers.
The government plans to digitally integrate smaller domestic airports with major international hubs such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad over the next one to one-and-a-half years. The initiative is designed to provide seamless connectivity for passengers travelling abroad from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
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Under the new model, smaller airports will function as “spokes,” while large international airports will act as “hubs.” Passengers will first travel from their hometown airport to a major hub airport through a domestic flight and then directly board their international flight from there. The biggest advantage will be that travellers will not have to repeat lengthy security, immigration or customs procedures during transit at the hub airport.
Officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry said the entire system would operate through the DigiYatra platform. Passengers will be required to register on the DigiYatra app before beginning their journey. They will also need to upload both domestic and international boarding passes onto the application. This will allow passenger identity, travel details and security verification records to be digitally available in advance.
As part of the system, separate boarding pass categories will be introduced for domestic and international travel. Domestic boarding passes will carry a “D” category, while international journeys will be marked under the “I” category. Authorities believe this classification will help airport staff and security agencies identify passengers more efficiently and streamline the transit process.
The plan also includes the creation of dedicated international transit zones at major airports. Passengers arriving through domestic flights will be able to directly enter these zones and proceed toward their international departures without exiting and re-entering the terminal area. This is expected to significantly reduce waiting time, repeated baggage check-ins and long queues.
Officials believe the model will especially benefit travellers from smaller cities who currently face multiple layers of screening and documentation checks during international journeys. At present, passengers arriving at major airports from smaller domestic locations often need to repeat several procedures before boarding overseas flights, leading to delays and inconvenience. The new system is expected to substantially reduce overall transit time.
Experts in the aviation sector say the initiative has been designed keeping in mind India’s rapidly expanding domestic and international passenger traffic. Over the past few years, international travel demand from smaller cities has increased considerably, making digital integration and airport modernisation a growing necessity.
At the same time, the decision to make DigiYatra mandatory has triggered discussions around data privacy and digital accessibility. Some passengers have raised concerns regarding the safety of personal information and the challenges faced by travellers who may not be comfortable using digital platforms. Experts believe the government will need to ensure strong data protection mechanisms and alternative arrangements in case of technical failures.
According to aviation analysts, if the trial proves successful, the Hub and Spoke Model could eventually be implemented at most major airports across the country. This would help India build a more modern, efficient and globally aligned aviation ecosystem.
The Civil Aviation Ministry is currently coordinating with airport operators, airlines and security agencies to finalise operational procedures before the rollout begins. Officials expect passengers to start experiencing the benefits of the new system in the coming months, particularly on routes connecting smaller Indian cities with international destinations.
