Air India has officially launched its ‘Easy Connect’ services from Ahmedabad, marking a major step in India’s efforts to strengthen its hub-and-spoke aviation model and improve international connectivity through domestic airports.
With Ahmedabad joining Amritsar and Varanasi in the expanding ‘Easy Connect’ network, the initiative is designed to make international travel more convenient for passengers from regional cities while encouraging more long-haul travelers to transit through Indian hubs rather than overseas airports.
Seamless International Transit Through Delhi
The key feature of Air India’s ‘Easy Connect’ service is a simplified transit process for passengers traveling from Ahmedabad to international destinations via Delhi.
Under the service, eligible passengers can complete check-in for their final international destination and clear immigration formalities at Ahmedabad Airport before boarding their connecting domestic flight to Delhi.
After arriving in Delhi, passengers can proceed directly to their international connection without having to re-check their baggage or change terminals, reducing the time and complexity normally associated with domestic-to-international transfers.
The initiative forms part of the Government of India’s broader strategy to develop domestic airports as connecting hubs and retain a larger share of India’s international passenger traffic within the country.
According to the initiative’s broader objective, nearly 20 million Indians traveling on long-haul journeys could be encouraged to use Indian airports for transit instead of connecting through foreign aviation hubs.
Two Daily Ahmedabad-Delhi Flights Under Easy Connect
Air India has designated two daily flights from Ahmedabad to Delhi as ‘Easy Connect’ services. These flights provide onward access to 26 international destinations within around four hours of arriving in Delhi, significantly expanding the international reach available to passengers from Gujarat.
AI1117 – Morning Service
The morning AI1117 service provides onward connectivity from Delhi to several major international destinations, including:
- Shanghai
- Kathmandu
- Dubai
- Amsterdam
- Paris
- London
- Frankfurt
This schedule provides passengers with access to key markets across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East through Delhi.
AI1121 – Evening Service
The evening AI1121 service connects Ahmedabad travelers to international destinations including:
- Singapore
- Seoul
- Sydney
- Toronto
- Bangkok
- Colombo
The combination of the two services gives passengers a wider range of international connections while allowing them to begin their journey from Ahmedabad.
Inbound Easy Connect Services Coming Soon
Air India has also announced plans to introduce inbound Easy Connect operations shortly. The inbound service will allow passengers arriving in India from international destinations through Delhi to make seamless connections to domestic flights bound for Ahmedabad. This will further integrate Ahmedabad into Air India’s growing hub-and-spoke network and improve connectivity for international travelers heading to Gujarat.
DigiYatra Required for Eligible Passengers
Passengers planning to use the ‘Easy Connect’ service should be aware of certain procedural requirements. Indian passport holders traveling internationally through these connecting flights are required to enroll in DigiYatra, Air India said.
In addition, web check-in and Customs declarations are currently not available at spoke airports such as Ahmedabad. Passengers using the service therefore need to follow the applicable airport check-in procedures before departure.
These requirements are intended to ensure that immigration, security and baggage processes are completed appropriately before passengers continue their journey through Delhi.
Government Highlights Tourism and Trade Benefits
India’s Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu welcomed the launch of the service, highlighting its potential contribution to the country’s broader aviation ambitions.
The expansion of hub-and-spoke connectivity through cities such as Ahmedabad is expected to support trade, tourism and passenger mobility, while strengthening India’s position as an international aviation hub.
For Gujarat, the initiative provides improved access to major global markets without requiring passengers to rely on foreign airports for international connections.
Ahmedabad Gains Stronger Global Connectivity
The launch of ‘Easy Connect’ from Ahmedabad represents an important development in Air India’s efforts to integrate regional Indian cities into its international network.
By simplifying the domestic-to-international transfer process through Delhi, the service could make Indian hubs more competitive with established international transit points in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
As inbound operations are added and the network continues to expand, Air India’s ‘Easy Connect’ initiative could play a larger role in redirecting international transit traffic through Indian airports and strengthening the country’s position as a global aviation hub.
