In December 1912, the Indian State Air Services in collaboration with UK based Imperial Airways introduced the London -Karachi - Delhi flight, the first International flight to and from India.
In 1915 Tata Sons Ltd. started regular air mail services between Karachi and Madras and on January 24, 1920 Royal Airforce started regular airmail services between Karachi and Bombay.
Construction of Civil Airports in India started in 1924 (Calcutta, Bombay and Allahbad)
April 1927 saw the setting up of a separate Department of Civil Aviation to look after all civil aviation matters. That year also saw the establishment of Aero Club of India.
Between 1933 and 1934 a number of Indian airlines – Indian Trans Continental Airways, Madras Air Taxi Services, Indian National Airways etc., commenced operations
The Indian Aircraft Act was promulgated in 1934 and was formulated in 1937
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) set up by Walchand Hirachand in association with the then Mysore Government in 1940 at Bangalore. India’s first aircraft, the Harlow trainer was rolled out for test flight in July 1941.
In 1945 the Deccan Airways was founded - jointly owned by the Nizam of Hyderabad and Tatas. Its first flight began in July 1946
In 1946 ‘Air India’ came into being when Tata Airlines changed its name to Air Indian
In March 1953 the Indian Parliament passed the Air Corporations Act, and Indian Airlines and Air India International were set up after nationalisation of the entire airline industry. At this time eight formerly independent domestic airlines: Deccan Airways, Airways India, Bharat Airways, Himalyan Aviation, Kalinga Air Lines, Indian National Airways, Air India, Air Services of India were merged.
· 1953 also saw the introduction of India’s Civil Helicopter Services.
The aviation sector not only brings immense benefits to communities and economies around the globe, but also is a key catalyst of economic