Air India has launched its 'Easy Connect' service, aimed at enhancing international travel for passengers from Tier-II and Tier-III cities. This initiative, which starts from Varanasi on June 25, allows travelers to complete baggage check-in and immigration procedures at their origin airport before connecting to international flights in Delhi. This process eliminates the need for repeated check-ins at the hub, significantly simplifying travel logistics. The first flight, designated AI1111, will operate daily and connect to 17 international destinations, including London Heathrow, Frankfurt, and Singapore, within four hours. The hub-and-spoke model is expected to revolutionize international travel for residents of smaller cities, who often face multiple check-in and immigration processes. Air India's Group Head for Governance, Risk, Compliance and Corporate Affairs, P. Balaji, emphasized the importance of coordination among airlines, airports, and government agencies for the model's success. The airline plans to expand the 'Easy Connect' network to more cities in phases, further integrating smaller urban areas into India's growing aviation landscape and reducing dependence on foreign hubs.