Air India to launch Amritsar hub-and-spoke links via Delhi

Air India plans to introduce easy-connect hub-and-spoke flights from Amritsar via Delhi, with single check-in and smoother international transfers. The carrier says it will progressively add links from more Indian cities to its Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru hubs.

— Source publishedThu, 23 Jul, 2026, 14:39 IST·First seen Thu, 23 Jul, 2026, 14:46 IST·Source The Hindu BusinessLine

What happened

Air India will introduce hub-and-spoke flights linking Amritsar to Delhi, enabling single check-in and smoother international transfers. The carrier plans to

Key facts

  • Amritsar airport handled 9.97 lakh international passengers in the last fiscal
  • International passenger traffic declined 13.5% versus FY25
  • Hub-and-spoke scheme was inaugurated at Varanasi on June 25

Why this matters

Air India’s hub-and-spoke buildout strengthens its strategic footprint across tier-two Indian cities, potentially creating partnership opportunities in airport retail, loyalty and travel services.

What to watch

  • Published Amritsar-Delhi schedules and minimum connection times versus existing alternatives.
  • Share of itineraries sold as single-ticket international connections rather than standalone domestic flights.
  • Air India international capacity additions from Delhi, especially to Canada, UK, Europe and North America.
  • On-time performance, baggage-transfer reliability and missed-connection complaints at Delhi.
  • Amritsar airport passenger throughput, international retail sales per passenger and lounge demand.
  • Competitor fare responses and new direct international services from Amritsar or nearby Chandigarh.
  • Air India is likely to add timed domestic feeder frequencies from other North and central Indian cities into Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru banks.
  • The carrier may market through-fares aggressively to Canada, the UK, Europe, the US and Gulf destinations with large Punjabi diaspora demand.
  • Amritsar airport concessionaires and nearby travel retailers may expand international-traveler assortments, including gifting, luggage, forex, telecom and quick-service food.
  • Competing airlines may defend Punjab-origin traffic with direct international capacity, lower fares, or more convenient Gulf and Delhi connections.