EASY CONNECT FLIGHTS MODEL
Why in the News?
- First City: Varanasi has become the first city in India to be integrated into the Easy Connect Flights Model.
- Seamless Travel: International passengers can now complete immigration and baggage formalities before reaching Delhi and connect smoothly to global destinations.
- Aviation Vision: The initiative supports India’s goal of becoming a global aviation hub through the hub-and-spoke model, ensuring a pollution free environment through sustainable aviation practices.
EASY CONNECT MODEL: KEY FEATURES
- Pre-Clearance Facility: Passengers complete immigration and baggage processing at the origin city itself.
- Seamless Transfers: Enables hassle-free transfer to international flights through major hub airports.
- Passenger Convenience: Reduces waiting time, duplication of procedures, and transit-related delays.
- Regional Integration: Extends international connectivity benefits beyond metropolitan cities, with airport expansions subject to environmental clearances and environmental impact assessment protocols.
- Global Hub Objective: Strengthens India’s ambition to emerge as a major aviation transit hub.
HUB-AND-SPOKE MODEL
- Concept: A transportation system where traffic from smaller locations (spokes) is routed through a central hub.
- Efficiency: Improves operational efficiency by consolidating passenger and cargo traffic.
- Aviation Application: Major airports act as hubs connecting regional airports to domestic and international destinations, following the precautionary principle in infrastructure development.
- Advantages: Enhances connectivity, optimizes aircraft utilization, and expands route networks.
- Examples: Global aviation hubs include airports such as Dubai, Singapore, Doha, and Istanbul.
| UDAN SCHEME ● Launch: UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) was launched in 2016 under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). ● Nodal Ministry: Implemented by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. ● Objective: To make air travel affordable and accessible while enhancing regional connectivity, with airport development projects requiring compliance with EIA notification and coastal regulation zone norms where applicable. ● Funding Mechanism: Operates through Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to support airlines on regional routes. ● Achievements: Has expanded connectivity to remote, underserved, and unserved airports across India. |