Golden Jubilee Of International Flight

Technical Data

Stamp Set	50th Anniversary of First Air India International Flight
Date of Issue	June 8, 1998
Denomination	Rs. 11
Quantity	700,000
Perforation	comb 13 x 13½
Printer	Security Printing Press, Nashik
Printing Process	Photogravure
Watermark	No Watermark
Colors	Multicolor
Credit (Designed By)
Catalog Codes	Michel IN 1629-1630 Stamp Number IN 1685a Yvert et Tellier IN 1395-1396 Stanley Gibbons IN 1793a
Themes	Aircraft \| Airlines \| Anniversaries and Jubilees \| Aviation \| Buildings \| Clocks \| Globes \| Towers

50 Years of Global Aviation Excellence

The 50th anniversary of Air India’s maiden international flight marks a historic milestone in the growth of Indian civil aviation. On 8 June 1948, Air India launched its first international service from Bombay to London, beginning a new era of global connectivity for India.

This landmark journey established Air India as India’s flying ambassador to the world.

First Air India International Flight in 1948

On 8 June 1948, Air India operated its first overseas flight:

Route:

Bombay (now Mumbai)
Cairo
Geneva
London

Aircraft Used:

Lockheed Constellation

This was India’s first major international commercial air service after independence.

Beginning of a Global Aviation Legacy

Since that historic flight, Air India became one of India’s most recognized global brands.

It represented:

Indian hospitality
National pride
Technical excellence
International connectivity

For decades, Air India served as the face of India across continents.

Air India’s Origins

Air India began operations in October 1932, making it one of Asia’s pioneering airlines.

Over time, it grew from a small aviation enterprise into a respected international carrier.

Air India’s Historic Humanitarian Mission

One of Air India’s most remarkable achievements came in 1990, when it carried out a massive evacuation of Indian citizens from Amman.

Emergency Evacuation Highlights:

459 flights operated
1.1 lakh passengers evacuated

This remains one of the greatest civilian air evacuation efforts in aviation history.

Premium Airline with Global Standards

By 1998, Air India had become known for quality service and passenger comfort.

Its strengths included:

Modern Fleet

Wide range of aircraft
Advanced long-haul capability
Boeing 747 fleet with modern facilities

Passenger Experience

State-of-the-art entertainment systems
Excellent cuisine
Warm Indian hospitality
Reliable international operations

These qualities helped Air India earn prestige among global airlines.

Major International Destinations

Air India operated flights from major Indian cities including:

Mumbai
Kolkata
Delhi
Chennai
Thiruvananthapuram
Goa
Bengaluru
Hyderabad
Ahmedabad

Destinations included:

United Kingdom
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Gulf and Middle East
North America
Africa

Commitment to Quality

Air India continuously improved:

Customer service
Operational efficiency
Fleet modernization
Global partnerships
Code-sharing arrangements with international airlines

This reflected its commitment to modern aviation standards.

Commemorative Postage Stamp

To celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Air India’s first international flight, the Department of Posts issued a special set of two commemorative postage stamps.

The stamps honored the historic Bombay to London flight of 8 June 1948.

Conclusion

The 50th anniversary of Air India’s maiden international flight celebrates a proud chapter in Indian aviation history. From its first Lockheed Constellation flight to becoming a world-recognized airline, Air India helped connect India with the world while carrying the spirit of the nation across the skies.