Air-India Route Evaluation
8 June 1948. Bombay/London
Air-India International inaugurated its Bombay-London service via Cairo and Geneva on 8 June 1948, by Lockheed Constellation Malabar Princess VT-CQP under the command of Captain K R Guzder. With a schedule of under 24 hours, this was the fastest England-India service.
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The Air-India special Issue - Issued after the first set of Independent India stamps
This postage stamp issued only for use on this flight
This postage stamp issued only for use on this flight
A block of four 12 as value stamps issued to commemorate the first flight from Bombay to London. The stamp shows a Lockheed Constellation L-749A Airplane with the legend AIR-INDIA INTERNATIONAL, FIRST FLIGHT, 8TH JUNE 1948, INDIA POSTAGE, 12 AS.
VT-CQP Malabar Princess
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21st January 1950. Bombay/Nairobi
Air-India began a fortnightly service Bombay / Nairobi via Aden using Constellations.
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12th March 1950. Rome introduced as a halt on the U.K. route.
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On 26th July, 1950 Karachi introduced as a halt on the Bombay / Nairobi service.
Map taken from timetable 1st November, 1952- 31st January 1953
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fare rates taken from timetable 1st April, 1951
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On 15th October, 1950 Bombay / London route extended through Calcutta.
Air-India increased the frequency of its India-UK flights to four per week and, from 17 October, extended two services a week from Bombay to Calcutta.
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On 7th April, 1951 Paris introduced as a halt on the U.K. route.
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On 21st Feb, 1953 Dusseldorf introduced as a halt on U.K. route.
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on 16th July, 1954 Inaugural flight Bombay to Singapore via Madras with L-749A Constellation VT-DAS on once a week basis.
fare rate taken from December, 1954
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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.
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fare rate taken from December, 1954
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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.
Map for the route found from the August 1955.
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Fare rates found from the August 1955.
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VT-DAR Maratha Princess.
On 4th July, 1955 Beirut and Zurich Introduced as a halts on the U.K. route.
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On 3rd April, 1956 Damascus introduced as a halt on the U.K. route.
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On 4th April, 1956 Prague introduced as a halt on the U.K. route.
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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.
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On 4th January, 1958 Jakarta introduced as a regular halt between Singapore and Darwin on Sydney route.
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On 14th August, 1958 Air-India International began a weekly service to Moscow via Delhi & Tashkent.
The first flight was by Super Constellation Rani of Bijapur VT-DJW under the command of Capt K Vishwanath. The service was in pool with Aeroflot which operated Tu 104As.
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Office Location found from time table October 1958.
Fare rates found from timetable 1st December 1958.
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