A Century of Indian Aviation: Challenges and opportunities

Though the date 18 February does not seem to be reminding of any anniversary of a major noteworthy event, the date exactly a century ago laid the foundation of the civil aviation in India when a French pilot Monsignor Henri Piquet undertook the first commercial flight on 18 February 1911 making a journey through air from Allahabad to Naini covering a distance of 10 kilometers just across the Yamuna river carrying world’s first airmail. He carried 6,000 odd letters and postcards, many of which were addressed to celebrities worldwide, including King George V in England. This aviation feat of Henri Piquet though seemed a short distance across the Yamuna river, opened the entire Indian sub-continent for aviation challenges and future opportunities.
It is quite remarkable that within eight years of the invention of the first flying machine by the Wright brothers, India, though ruled by the British imperial power, witnessed the beginning of the aviation era on 18 February 1911. The origin of Indian civil aviation industry can be traced back to 1912, when the first air flight between Karachi and Delhi was started by the Indian State Air Services in collaboration with the UK based Imperial Airways. It was an extension of London-Karachi flight of the Imperial Airways.
The aviation industry in India gathered momentum after three years with the opening of a regular airmail service between Karachi and Madras by the first Indian airline, Tata Sons Limited founded by the ‘Father of Indian Aviation’, JRD Tata. However, this service failed to receive any backing from the Indian Government. JRD Tata joined Tata & Sons as an unpaid apprentice in 1925. He had great interest in flying. On 10 February 1929, JRD Tata became the first Indian to pass the pilot’s examination. With this distinctive honour of being India’s first pilot, he was instrumental in giving wings to India by building Tata Airlines, which ultimately became Air India. His passion for flying was fulfilled with the formation of the Tata Aviation Service in 1932.
For many years since its inception the Indian Aviation Industry was plagued by inappropriate regulatory and operational procedures resulting in either excessive or no competition. At the time of independence nine Air Transport Companies were operational in the Indian Territory. Later the number was reduced to eight when the Orient Airways shifted its base to Pakistan. The then operational airlines were Tata Airlines, Indian National Airways, Air Service of India, Deccan Airways, Ambica Airways, Bharat Airways and Mistry Airways.
18/02/11 Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle/Bellevision

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Feb 2011