Under this new system, passengers traveling abroad can complete their baggage checks, customs clearance, and international immigration formalities directly at their departure airport before connecting through a major hub like Delhi.

The initiative officially rolled out with passengers traveling onboard the inaugural Air India Easy Connect flight AI1111 from Varanasi to Delhi, demonstrating how the streamlined process eliminates the need to re-check bags or repeat security checks during transit, ultimately promising to transform the global travel experience for millions of Indians.

He said that even in the prevailing challenging situation, when global air operations are impacted, the government has ensured that cancellations and rising fuel costs do not severely affect the operations of the country’s domestic carriers. Mr Naidu noted that this step is part of the Ministry’s overall effort to keep the aviation sector stable during this volatile period, ensuring ease of flying for passengers.

The Minister informed that the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India has been directed to reduce landing and parking charges by 25 per cent from the prevailing tariff at all major airports under its purview. He said that the Airport Authority of India has also been directed in this regard.

The government has also announced a modified UDAN scheme to further strengthen regional connectivity by linking 120 new destinations nationwide, including in Uttar Pradesh, with an estimated reach of four crore passengers over the next decade. The proposal is currently at the approval stage. Naidu added that airport infrastructure development is an ongoing process, while aviation safety is ensured through DGCA’s strict oversight, including audits and regular surveillance. Under the Greenfield Airports Policy, in-principle approval has been granted to 24 new airports, of which 13 are already operational.