Aviation in India can be broadly divided into military and civil aviation. India has an extensive civilian air transportation network and is amongst the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world.
The history of aviation in India is closely associated with state control, and Air India when it started its roots in 1930. India’s first airline was named Tata Air Service in 1932. The founder of this airline was J.R.D Tata. This inaugural flight by Tata Air Service flew from Karachi (Southern Pakistan) to Mumbai in October 1932. The airline gradually progressed from a cargo airline to one catering to commercial passengers. During the second world war, Tata Airways played a crucial role by carrying supplies and troops from Britain.
The Indian aviation sector is regulated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which sets safety standards, issues licenses, and oversees air travel operations. The government also formulates policies related to airline ownership, foreign investment, and air traffic rights.
The history of aviation in India is a fascinating journey that mirrors the growth and development of the country’s economy and infrastructure.
- Early Years (1930s-1940s): The foundation of Indian aviation was laid in the 1930s with the establishment of Tata Airlines, which later became Air India. Tata Airlines started its operations in 1932 with flights between Mumbai and Karachi. During this period, other airlines like Indian National Airways and Deccan Airways also operated.
- Post-Independence (1950s-1970s): After India gained independence in 1947, the government nationalized the aviation sector in 1953, forming Indian Airlines Corporation to handle domestic air travel, and Air India International for international operations. This period saw the expansion of domestic air routes and the modernization of the fleet.
- Liberalization (1990s): India’s aviation sector saw significant changes with economic liberalization in the 1990s. Private airlines were allowed to operate, leading to the emergence of carriers like Jet Airways, Air Sahara (later acquired by Jet Airways and rebranded as JetLite), and Air Deccan. These private airlines brought competition and innovation to the market.
- 21st Century Growth: The 21st century witnessed rapid growth in the Indian aviation sector. Low-cost carriers like IndiGo, SpiceJet, GoAir, and others entered the market, offering affordable air travel options and expanding air connectivity to smaller cities and towns. This period also saw the expansion of international operations by Indian carriers and increased participation of foreign airlines in the Indian market.
- Challenges and Consolidation: Despite the growth, the Indian aviation sector faced challenges such as high operating costs, infrastructure constraints, regulatory issues, and financial difficulties for some airlines. This led to consolidation in the industry, with mergers, acquisitions, and closures of airlines. For example, Jet Airways, once one of the largest private carriers, suspended operations in 2019 due to financial troubles.
- COVID-19 Pandemic: Like elsewhere in the world, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the Indian aviation sector, leading to a sharp decline in air travel demand, financial losses for airlines, and challenges in operations. However, the industry has been gradually recovering as vaccination efforts progress and travel restrictions ease.
Fun Facts about History of Airlines in India
There are the certain facts about the history of airlines in India.
- JRD Tata was 24 when a flying club opened in Mumbai (then Bombay). He became the first Indian to pass out with ‘No. 1’ endorsed on his flying licence and, three years later, famously piloted the first flight in the history of Indian aviation. Indian aviation kicked off in 1932 with the introduction of the first airline, Tata Air Services. JRD Tata later came to be known as the “Father of Indian civil aviation”.
- During the Gulf War in Kuwait back in 1990 around 1,70,000 innocent Indians were stuck there. This period itself is the most fragile times in Indian history. The Indian government with the helping hand of Air India did rescue every single Indian with the world’s largest air evacuation ever executed. The mission lasted for more than fifty days and was recorded by Guinness book of world records.
- In 1985, Indian Airlines made history by operating the world’s first all-women crewed flight, with an all-female team handling all aspects of the flight from cockpit to cabin.
- IndiGo, founded in 2006, quickly emerged as one of India’s leading airlines known for its punctuality and efficiency. It became the largest airline in India by market share, largely due to its focus on operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
- The Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is notable, because at over 10,000 feet above sea level, it is one of the highest airports in the world. The airport is named after the respected Kushok Bakula Rimpochee whose 19th incarnation is considered an important Indian and Ladakhi Statesman.
- Every airline has different rules which are imposed on pilots and other employees. The pilot must be given the same multi-cuisine meal given to that of first and business class customers except for co-pilot. The co-pilot is given different food for security reasons such as food poisoning.
- There are 80% of people are feared from flying in India.There are various types of phobia one of them is Acrophobia. Acrophobia means people are scared of heights, this phobia causes a person to fear from a variety of things related to height or away from the ground.
- The word “Mayday” used by pilots in emergency situations comes from the French word “maidez,” which literally means “help me”. When a distress situation arises, pilots or ship captains will transmit the word “mayday” three times in a row over the radio, followed by relevant information such as their position, nature of the emergency. This allows search and rescue authorities to quickly identify and respond to the distress call.
- In Indian ancient history, there are traces of airplanes in the Hindu Epic Ramayana, where Ravana takes Sita to Sri Lanka in his aircraft known as Pushpak Vimana.
- India has a total of 450 commercial and defence airports. Most of these airports are efficiently managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). AAI controls over 125 airports in India. Among them, 11 are international airports and 77 are domestic airports. Apart from these, 9 airports are from the customs department and 28 are from the defence department.
- As of 2024, India was the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world, with a vast size and large population contributing to the rise in aircraft usage and the number of passengers. In the financial year 2019, over 28 million people flew with Indian national airlines, and over 7 million people flew in and out with private Indian scheduled carriers, indicating a substantial number of air travelers within the country
Conclusion– Exploring the history of aviation in India reveals a fascinating journey marked by innovation, milestones, and growth. From the pioneering flights of J.R.D. Tata to the establishment of robust aviation infrastructure and the rapid expansion of commercial air travel, India’s aviation sector has evolved significantly. Today, it continues to soar as a vital component of the country’s transportation network, connecting people and fostering economic development across the nation.