On 14th August, 1954 Bombay to Hong kong service launched via, Calcutta & Bangkok.
​The flight was by Himalayan Princess VT-DAS via Bombay, Calcutta, Bangkok and Hong Kong.  The pilots were Captains H B Mistry and R N Goday.
Timetable dated September 1954 showing the route map on Bombay to Hong Kong via Calcutta & Bangkok
Flight schedule from timetable September 1954 showing the Flight schedule on Bombay to Hong Kong route.
Timetable December 1954 showing the SIngle, Return & Excess Baggage charges on Bombay to Hong Kong route
Aircraft used in this route
Inaugural flight to Hong Kong via Kolkata and Bangkok with L-749A Constellation VT-DAS Himalayan Princess on once a week basis.
Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport 1954
Air Mail cover flown on this route
Air Mail cover franked with 1947 issue 12 a. Air Mail stamp and tied with STOCK EXCHANGE, BOMBAY, cancellation mark.
Souvenir Air-India cover franked with the 1947 issue 12a. Air Mail and tied with STOCK EXCHANGE, BOMBAY, cancellation mark.
These covers were produced by Air-India for the June 1948 Bombay to London flight, and has been modified for use on this flight. Various D.L.O. cachets and labels on reverse.
On 17 August 1954 Air-India International Hong Kong - Bombay, The flight was by Himalayan Princess VT-DAS via Bangkok and Calcutta. Souvenir card as illustrated is inside this sealed card.
AI Coaster & Decal used on this route
On 7th May, 1955 Bombay to HongKong services extended to Tokyo
​The flight was by Maratha Princess VT-DAR via Calcutta, Bangkok and Hong Kong.
​This was an extension of the Bombay-Hong Kong service inaugurated on 14 August 1954.
AI Timetable dated 1 June 1955 showing the route map on Bombay to Hong Kong services extended to Tokyo on 7th May 1955.
Timetable dated 1 June 1955 showing the flight schedule on Bombay to Tokyo via Calcutta, Bangkok and Hong Kong
AI Timetable dated 1 June 2018.
Timetable dated 1 June 1955 showing the fare charges of single, return and excess baggage.
AI International Offices
Aircraft
VT-DAR Maratha Princess
​Lockheed L-749A Constellation of Air-India International (New Air-India) VT-DAR Maratha Princess
(ex-John Stroud Collection)
​VT-DAR Maratha Princess Lockheed Constellation
VT-DAR Maratha Princess
Coaster & Baggage Tag
Air Mail cover flown on Bombay - Tokyo services on 7th May 1955
Souvenir cover, produced by Air-India International, with the 10a calue stamp with the Bombay postal cancellation and a boxed  inaugural flight cachet. Tokyo receiving mark on the verso. The Bombay-Calcutta-Bangkok-Hong kong flight on the Constellation L0749A aircraft introduced in 1954 was extended to Tokyo on this day.
Plain cover with the 10a. value stamp with the Bombay postal cancellation and a boxed inaugural flight cachet. The Bombay - Calcutta-Bangkok-Hong Kong flight on the cancellation L-749A aircraft introduced in 1954 was extended to Tokyo on this day.
Cover  flown on the Bombay - Hong Kong stage of the Tokyo flight. Cancelled BOMBAY G.P.O., 7 MAY 55, and arrival mark on reverse HONG KONG, 14 MAY 1955. Also on front is the boxed rectangular first flight cachet in black. The cover was then re-directed back to Bombay, and there is a BOMBAY, DELY, 11 JUN 55, hand stamp on the reverse.
DId this cover miss the inaugural flight and get flown a week later (?).
First Boeing 707 Flight on Tokyo - Bombay route on 16 January 1961
The weekly Tokyo - Bombay Boeing 707 service was introduced.
Souvenir Air-India cover with purple Air-India commemoration handstamp, and Tokyo cancellation stamp dated 16.1.61.
​Airport Bombay arrival stamp dated 17-1-61 on the reverse.
The weekly Tokyo - Bombay Boeing 707 service was introduced.
Air Mail cover with Air-India sticker and Tokyo cancellation stamp dated 16.1.61.
Airport Bombay arrival stamp dated 17-1-61 on the reverse. The cover was then flown onward to Karachi and delivered on 21 January.
First Boeing 707 Flight on Tokyo - Bombay on 16 January 1961
First Boeing 707 Flight on Bombay - Tokyo sector on 25 January 1961
Bombay - Calcutta Stage
Air Mail cover flown from Bombay to Calcutta on the inaugural Boein 707 service of Air-India to Tokyo.
Post marked Bombay G.P.O. 25 Jan 1961. and with the special Air-India first flight cachet.
Bombay - Hong Kong Stage
Air Mail cover flown from Bombay tp Hong Kong on the inaugural Boeing 707 service of Air-India to Tokyo.
Postmarked Bombay G.P.O. 25 Jan 61, and with the special Air-India first flight cachet.
Bombay - Tokyo Stage
Air Mail cover flown from Bombay to Tokyo on the inaugural Boeing 707 service of Air-India to Tokyo.
Postmarked Bombay G.P.O. 25 Jan 1961, and with the special Air-India first flight cachet.
The weekly Bombay - Tokyo Boeing 707 service was introduced.
Souvenir Air-India cover with purple Air-India commemoration handstamp, and Bombay G.P.O. cancellation stamp dated 15.Jan.61.
Tokyo AP arrival stamp dated 25-1-61 on the reverse.
First Boeing 707 Flight on Bombay - Tokyo on 25 January 1961.
First Boeing 707 Flight on Bombay - Tokyo route.
25 January 1961
Calcutta - Bangkok stage
Airmail postcard with Indian Philatelic Bureau, Calcutta 25.1.61 cancellation, and rectangular Air-India hand stamp. Also, on front Bangkok G.P.O. receiving stamp of 26.1.61
Calcutta - Hong Kong stage
Airmail postcard with Indian Pjilatelic Bureau, Calcutta 25.1.61 cancellation, and rectangular Air-India hand stamp.
also, on reverse Hong Kong receiving stamp of 26-1-1961. There is a special stamp Agricultural Show 4th - 5th Feb.
Calcutta - Tokyo stage
Airmail postcard with Indian Philatelic Bureau, Calcutta 25.1.61 cancellation, and rectangular Air-India hand stamp.
Also on front Tokyo AP receiving stamp of 26.1.61
Goodwill Youth Mission from Japan
22 March 1962
Original photo - The Goodwill Youth Mission from Japan comprising of theree boys and girls, all teenagers, arrived in Bombay by Air-India.
The Goodwill Youth Mission from Japan.