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What is an Airline Hub? The Hub-and-Spoke System Explained

Jan 07, 2026 IATA Codes Team

A Hub is a central airport that an airline uses as a transfer point to get passengers to their intended destination. It is part of the hub-and-spoke system.

Why Hubs Exist

Instead of flying point-to-point between every city (which is inefficient), airlines route traffic through major centers. For example, Dubai (DXB) is the massive hub for Emirates, connecting East and West.

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