SynopsisIndia is set to expand its new hub-and-spoke aviation model, with six more cities joining the initiative in the coming weeks. Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu launched the first service from Varanasi, connecting it to international destinations via New Delhi. This program aims to boost international travel from smaller cities by allowing passengers to complete immigration at their origin, streamlining transit through major hubs.AgenciesIndia will add six more destinations to its new hub-and-spoke aviation model over the next six weeks, Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu said on Thursday as he launched the first service under the initiative from Varanasi. The programme is aimed at improving international connectivity from tier-2 and tier-3 cities through major airport hubs.The first hub-and-spoke flight, operated with Air India, connects Varanasi to international destinations through New Delhi. Under the model, passengers can complete immigration formalities at their origin airport and travel onward through a hub airport without repeating the process.READ MORE: Flying internationally with Air India? Here's what you should know about the new ‘Easy Connect’ ruleVaranasi first city under new modelCalling it an important day for Indian civil aviation, Naidu said the country now has the infrastructure and systems needed to support hub-and-spoke operations.“This is a very important day for Indian civil aviation because there are high expectations for hub-and-spoke operations in the country. Some are going to Dubai, some to Singapore and other places, and from there they have transit connectivity to the rest of the world. We have the capacity, and we have the infrastructure, we have everything ready,” he said.READ MORE: India asks citizens in Iran to avoid non-essential travel despite improved security situationThe minister said standard operating procedures and systems have been finalised and all stakeholders have been brought on board.“All the SOPs and systems are now finalised; all stakeholders have been brought together. And the first operation is going to start from Varanasi today. I have come to personally oversee the operations and see how it is going. So, in the next 6 weeks, we will see 6 new destinations added to this model. Now, if someone is travelling from Varanasi, they can simply do immigration here and go to Delhi. The aim is to open all airports under this model,” he added. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)...moreElevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea.Subscribe Now