New Delhi, April 9 -- Tata-owned Air India is planning to develop Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport as its premier south Indian hub, with an aim to boost air travel connectivity to and from India over the next few years.

The plan includes making Bengaluru the origin point of what is likely to be a 'hub-and-spoke' model, where long-distance travellers from other South Indian cities are taken to Bengaluru airport for their onward long-distance global flights.

Air India has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Karnataka to establish comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities at Bengaluru airport.

This deal is expected to create 1,200 new jobs and stimulate the MRO ecosystem...