India’s Civil Aviation Ministry has issued standard operating procedures for the country’s first hub flight operations, laying out protocols for immigration, customs, baggage transportation and passenger separation between domestic and international flights.
In practical terms, this model would allow travelers from small cities to book a single ticket to an international destination, fly to a major airport like Delhi, and connect to their next flight by clearing immigration and handing over baggage only upon their initial departure. This routine process at airports such as Dubai, Singapore and London Heathrow, was not available in India until now.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu reviewed Delhi airport’s readiness for hub operations last week after chairing a meeting with key stakeholders, the ministry said.
Air India is expected to begin test hub flights from Varanasi airport from June 1, PTI reported, citing people familiar with the plans. The passengers will fly from Varanasi to Delhi and continue their journey to London.
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This model aims to transform India from a predominantly final destination aviation market into a global transit hub, allowing Indian airports to capture traffic currently routed through foreign hubs. The ministry said it will also connect Tier II and III airports developed under the UDAN Regional Air Connectivity Scheme with international destinations, PTI reported.
How it works
Under standard operating procedures, both legs of the hub-to-hub flight – the domestic hub-to-hub flight and the hub-to-international flight – will be classified as international operations.
Immigration and customs clearance will only be conducted at the first point of departure and final point of arrival. Airport luggage will be transferred at the centre, meaning passengers will not need to collect and re-check bags.
Flights destined for the hub will carry domestic and international passengers. Flights from the hub to the spoke will carry international passengers only.
Online check-in and e-boarding passes will not be available for domestic and international passengers on hub flights, PTI reported. Passengers will instead receive two boarding passes, marked “D” for domestic flights and “I” for international flights.
At major airports, domestic and international passengers must be separated upon disembarkation through designated channels.
This model is expected to reduce delivery times, improve connectivity between the domestic and international sectors and enhance passenger experience.
