The Multi-Hub Myth feat. Behramjee Ghadially and Sean Mendis

Episode 71 of The Indian AvGeek: Host Vishal Mehra sits down with two of the sharpest minds in the business. Fresh off AviaDev 2026, Sean Mendis and Behramjee Ghadially join the show for an unfiltered, deeply analytical discussion on the geopolitical and structural shifts in aviation. As India aggressively pursues a multi-hub model across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and even Rajkot. We look at whether India is making a strategic error by not doubling down on a single mega-hub. We break down the stark realities of IndiGo's massive scale versus its missing sixth-freedom strategy and evaluate how Air India is sequencing its high-stakes widebody international rebuild. Beyond India's borders, the aviation landscape is getting complicated. We dissect the hidden operational costs of the West Asia airspace crisis, from disrupted crew schedules to punishing engine cycles and debate a building thesis: Is Gulf hub supremacy finally peaking as point-to-point long-haul becomes viable via the A321XLR? Plus, we explore the entry of Riyadh Air, the stealthy dominance of Gulf LCCs on trunk routes, and the glaring, underserved commercial opportunities waiting in Sub-Saharan Africa. We wrap up the roundtable with a look at how cargo is shifting from an operational afterthought to a day-one business case requirement, alongside a look at the most underrated aviation markets in the world that the industry is completely sleeping on. The Indian AvGeek streams on all podcast apps. Subscribe so you never miss a takeoff! ✈️ Connect with the guests & host: • Sean Mendis on X • Vishal Mehra on X