The Indian Civil Aviation Ministry has released a standard operating procedure (SOP) for implementing the hub and spoke (H&S) model, designed to improve domestic to international flight connectivity. Air India is set to initiate trial flights from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, to London via Delhi starting June 1. This model will facilitate smoother passenger transfers, with immigration and customs clearance occurring at the first point of departure, thereby enhancing the travel experience. Passengers will receive two boarding passes indicating their domestic and international segments. The SOP mandates DigiYatra enrollment for Indian nationals on the international leg, and airlines must appoint dedicated nodal officers at H&S airports to ensure passenger identity verification. The initiative aims to position India as a global aviation hub, optimizing aircraft utilization and decentralizing customs and immigration processes, thus reducing congestion at major airports. Air India’s CEO, Campbell Wilson, emphasized that this shift marks a significant change in India's aviation landscape, enhancing connectivity and passenger experience.