On 16th July, 1954 Inaugural flight Bombay to Singapore via Madras with L-749A Constellation VT-DAS on once a week basis.
Having established its credentials in Western Europe, Air-India now turned its sights eastward and, in July 1954, conducted a proving flight to Singapore prior to opening a regular weekly service via Madras. [P1]
Timetable dated 1stJuly 1954 showing the route on inaugural flight from Bombay to Singapore vja Madras.
Timetable dated 1st July 1954 showing the Single, Return & Excess baggage fare charges.
Timetable dated 1st July 1954.
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Timetable December 1954 showing the Single, Return & Excess Bag fare charges on Bombay to Singapore route.
AI Promotional Poster
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Air-India International VT-DAS Himalayan Princess
This is the Inaugural flight to Singapore via Madras with L-749A Constellation VT-DAS Himalayan Princess on once a week basis.
Coaster & Baggage Tag
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Air Mail cover flown on this route
This cover was carried from Singapore to Bombay on AI 361 on 5th September 1955, and connecting from Bombay to Paris on AI 101, the same day on 5 September 1955 using a Lockheed Constellation L-749 aircraft.
This cover was carried from Singapore to Bombay on AI 361 on 5th September 1955, and connecting from Bombay to Rome on AI 101, the same day on 5 September 1955 using a Lockheed Constellation L-749 aircraft.
On 5th October, 1956 Air-India International extended its Bombay/Singapore services to Sydney, via Madras, Singapore & Darwin.
The first flight to Australia was by Rani of Nilgiris VT-DIL. The route was via Madras, Singapore and Darwin. Captain H B Mistry flew to Singapore and Captain K Mathen from there to Sydney. The first proving flight over the route left Bombay on 2 September 1956.
Timetable December 1956 showing the route map of Bombay to Singapore services extended to Sydney via Darwin on 5th October 1956.
Flight schedule from timetable December 1956, showing the Arrival and depature time on Bombay to Singapore route extended to Sydney via Darwin
AI Poster
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AI Timetable December 1956.
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Fare charges from timetable December 1956 showing SIngle, Return & Excess baggage charges on Bombay to Singapore route which extended to Sydney via Darwin.
AI International Offices
Air Mail cover flown on Bombay to SIngapore, route extended to Sydney via Darwin 5 October 1956.
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Ordinary envelope with the BY AIR MAIL etiquette, and 4a postage stamp (2nd class rate) tied with a BOMBAY GPO, 5 OCT 56, postal cancellation mark. Alsoon the front is a boxed rectangular cachet in violet 5 OCT 1956, AIR INDIA INTERNATIONAL, INAUGURAL FLIGHT, INDIA - AUSTRALIA.
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The Bombay - Singapore weekly service was launched on 16 July 1954 via Madras with a L-749 A constellation. Now on 5 October 1956, this service was extended to Sydney via Darwin. Air-India souvenir cover cancelled Madras G.P.O. Oct 56, and boxed first flight cachet in black.
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The Bombay - Singapore weekly service was launched on 16 July 1954 via Madras with a L-749 A constellation.
Now, on 5 october 1956, this service was extended to Sydney via Darwin.
Now, on 5 october 1956, this service was extended to Sydney via Darwin.
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Insert for the cover flown from Rome - Bombay and then on the inaugural Bombay - Sydney flight.
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The Bombay - Singapore weekly service was launched on 16 July 1954 via Madras with a L-749 A constellation.
Now, on 5 october 1956, this service was extended to Sydney via Darwin. This Air-India cover was flown from Rome to Bombay on the London - Bombay service, and onwards wo Sydney on the inaugural flight.
Now, on 5 october 1956, this service was extended to Sydney via Darwin. This Air-India cover was flown from Rome to Bombay on the London - Bombay service, and onwards wo Sydney on the inaugural flight.
Cover posted in Sydney on 8 June 1956, and flown to Bombay on the return flight, and then onwards to London. Air Mail cover with special design printed on it.
On 4th January, 1958 Jakarta introduced as a regular halt between Singapore and Darwin on Sydney route.
Timetbale 15th January 1958, showing the route map on Bombay to Sydney, via Singapore, Jakarta and Darwin.
AI Timetable dated 15th January 1958.
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AI timetable dated 15th January 1958 showing flight schedule on Bombay to Sydney route.
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AI International Offices
Timetable 15th January 1958 showing the Single, Return & Excess Baggage fare charges on Bombay to Sydney route.
AI Coaster
First Boeing 707 Flight on Bombay - Sydney route
7 May 1962
7 May 1962
Boeing 707s were introduced on the Sydney route with the service operating via Bangkok instead of via Madras.
Withdrawal of Super Constellation from scheduled operations.
The cover bears the autograph of Capt. S F Pedder.
(Image Courtesy: Mr. Harsh Gupta, The Rudraksha Collection)
Withdrawal of Super Constellation from scheduled operations.
The cover bears the autograph of Capt. S F Pedder.
(Image Courtesy: Mr. Harsh Gupta, The Rudraksha Collection)
Boeing 707s were introduced on the Sydney route with the service operating via Bangkok instead of via Madras.
Withdrawal of Super Constellation from scheduled operations.
Withdrawal of Super Constellation from scheduled operations.
Boeing 707s were introduced on the Sydney route with the service operating via Bangkok instead of via Madras.
Withdrawal of Super Constellations from scheduled operations.
Withdrawal of Super Constellations from scheduled operations.
Flight Information Card
First Boeing 707 Flight on Sydney - Bombay route
9 May 1962
9 May 1962
Boeing 707s were introduced on the Sydney route with the service operating via Bangkok instead of via Madras.
Withdrawal of Super Constellation from scheduled operations.
This cover was flown on the return flight.
The cover bears the autograph of Capt. S F Pedder
Withdrawal of Super Constellation from scheduled operations.
This cover was flown on the return flight.
The cover bears the autograph of Capt. S F Pedder
Boeing 707s were introduced on the Sydney route with the service operating via Bangkok instead of via Madras.
Withdrawal of Super Constellation from scheduled operations.
This cover was flown on the return flight.
Withdrawal of Super Constellation from scheduled operations.
This cover was flown on the return flight.
The postcard was flown from India to Germany especially for the Leipzig autumn fair, 1962. The front side of the cover bears the cachet SONDERFLUGVERKEHR LEIPZIGER HERBSTMESSE 1962. Postmarked DELHI G.P.O. - 6, 1-9-62.
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First Boeing 707 Flight on Bombay -Sydney route via Perth
1 October 1962
1 October 1962
Perth was introduced on the Sydney route as a scheduled halt instead of Darwin which was a technical halt.
Perth was introduced on the Sydney route as a scheduled halt instead of Darwin which was a technical halt.
This cover is postmarked 17 October 62, which is 2 weeks after the date of the first flight. Intresting postal marks of the front and reverse of the cover. Unlikely to have been flown on the first flight.
This cover is postmarked 17 October 62, which is 2 weeks after the date of the first flight. Intresting postal marks of the front and reverse of the cover. Unlikely to have been flown on the first flight.
First Boeing 707 Flight on Sydney - Bombay route via Perth
3 October 1962
3 October 1962
Perth was introduced on the Sydney route as a scheduled halt instead of Darwin which was a technical halt.
This cover was flown on the return flight.
This cover was flown on the return flight.
Perth was introduced on the Sydney route as a scheduled halt instead of Darwin which was a technical halt.
This cover was flown on the return flight.
This cover was flown on the return flight.
First Boeing 707 Direct Flight on Geneva - Sydney Sector
Flight on 1 April 1963
Flight on 1 April 1963
This is the commemorative Air-India cover issued for the direct flight on 1 April 1963.