New Aircraft Boost Routes; Hubs Remain Vital
Aviation industry executives are confident that despite the expanded point-to-point capabilities of new-generation aircraft, hub airports will continue to play a crucial role in global connectivity. Modern narrowbody and midsize widebody aircraft have made it more financially viable for airlines to operate nonstop routes between secondary markets, leading to a rise in routes that bypass major hubs. However, experts argue that this trend does not come at the expense of hub traffic.
Speaking at Routes Asia 2025 in Perth on March 26, panelists discussed how the enhanced range and efficiency of new-generation aircraft are opening up a wealth of network opportunities. Miyuru Sandaruwan, Boeing’s regional market director, emphasized that demand growth will benefit both secondary routes and large hub airports. He projected that regions like Southeast Asia and South Asia are poised for an average annual demand increase of 7% over the next 20 years, ensuring that hubs continue to flourish even as point-to-point travel expands.
Abhijit DasGupta, IndiGo’s head of planning and revenue management, explained that even without resorting to extended-range variants, the improved capabilities of base model narrowbody aircraft are already creating new possibilities for route development. He highlighted that the technological evolution in aircraft efficiency allows airlines to reinvest gains into expanding their route networks. This reinvestment opens up fresh markets that were previously unreachable and strengthens the overall network strategy.
DasGupta stressed that long-haul point-to-point operations and traditional hub-and-spoke models are not mutually exclusive. Both business models have coexisted for decades, and the introduction of the latest aircraft types will only add more routes to the mix. Many routes remain too thin to justify direct service, ensuring that the aggregation of traffic at hub airports will continue to be essential. This balance between direct routes and hub-based aggregation allows airlines to optimize both operational efficiency and market reach.
Majid Khan, CEO of the Saudi Air Connectivity Program, noted that the emergence of new narrowbody aircraft from manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing has already paved the way for nonstop routes from Europe to Saudi Arabia. He pointed out that several routes recently announced or launched would not have been possible without these advanced aircraft. The ability to operate longer routes with smaller aircraft has allowed airlines to serve markets that were previously out of reach, thereby diversifying their network offerings and reinforcing the importance of hubs in the overall connectivity strategy.
While new-generation aircraft are enabling airlines to tap into previously unserved routes and boost secondary market connections, they are not rendering hub airports obsolete. On the contrary, the demand growth across global markets is expected to increase traffic through both direct routes and major hubs. The synergy between point-to-point operations and hub-and-spoke models is poised to drive future network expansions, ensuring that both elements remain integral to the aviation industry’s continued success. As technology evolves and airlines continue to optimize their fleets, the role of hub airports will remain vital in aggregating traffic, maintaining efficient operations, and supporting robust international connectivity.
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