Civil Aviation Centenary

Early Beginnings

Civil Aviation in India began on 18 February 1911, when the French pilot Monseigneur Piguet undertook the first commercial flight in the country. This historic flight carried mail over a distance of about 10 kilometres from Allahabad to Naini, marking the birth of civil aviation in India. Since this pioneering effort, Indian civil aviation has completed a remarkable journey of 100 years of growth and achievement.

Expansion of Air Routes

The first domestic air route between Karachi and Delhi was opened in December 1912 by the Indian State Air Services in collaboration with the UK-based Imperial Airways. This initiative laid the foundation for organized air transport and connectivity across regions.

Growth under Visionary Leadership

A major boost to Indian aviation came in 1932, when J. R. D. Tata founded Tata Airlines, which later became Air India, the national carrier of independent India. To further strengthen the aviation sector, the Government of India established Air India International as a joint sector company in early 1948.
Under the Air Corporations Act, 1953, nine existing airline companies were nationalised, ushering in a new era of structured growth and regulation.

Liberalisation and Open Sky Policy

With the onset of globalisation in the 1990s, the Government of India adopted the Open Sky Policy. This policy was extended in 1994, ending the monopoly of Indian Airlines and Air India. The Air Corporations Act, 1994 allowed private operators to enter the sector, transforming civil aviation by introducing competition, efficiency and wider choices for passengers.

Aviation as a Development Catalyst

Aviation is a critical component of national infrastructure. In India, it has contributed significantly to the growth of tourism, trade and business, enabled access to remote and inaccessible areas, and stimulated overall economic development. Once considered a privilege of the elite, air travel is now recognized as an essential mode of connectivity for both domestic and international travel.

Modern Transformation

Today, the Indian aviation industry is among the fastest growing in the world. Over the past two decades, it has undergone a major transformation with:

• Modernised and world-class terminal buildings
• Sophisticated aircraft and advanced equipment
• Multiple airline options providing greater accessibility to passengers

Commemorative Postage Stamps

To mark 100 Years of Indian Civil Aviation, the Department of Posts has issued a Miniature Sheet consisting of four commemorative postage stamps. The stamps depict the historic journey of civil aviation in India, from the first commercial flight in 1911 to its present-day status as a vital and ubiquitous mode of transport connecting the nation.