A Brief History Of Commercial Aviation In India

India is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets. Thanks to the rise of low-cost carriers and the rapid operational expansion of legacy airlines, more and more people are attracted to air travel. While the history of Indian aviation is closely tied to that of Air India and state control, things are now changing for good. So, how did India become the aviation hub it is today? Let’s find out.

The beginning

Indian aviation kicked off in 1932 with the introduction of the first airline, Tata Air Services. The airline, founded by J.R.D Tata, started as an airmail carrier within India after winning a contract with Imperial Airways. The airline flew its inaugural flight in October 1932, flying from Karachi to Mumbai.

The airline progressed from a small freight airline to a commercial passenger airline. By 1938, the carrier was renamed Tata Airlines and was flying domestic flights to a number of destinations. J.R.D Tata was himself heavily involved in the airline. He flew the airline’s inaugural flight in 1932 and was India’s first licensed pilot. Tata Airways also played a role in the Second World War, carrying troops and supplies for Britain during the war.

The foundation of Air India

In 1947, following Indian independence, Tata Airways was renamed Air India, and the government took a 49% stake in the airline. The airline began flying its first international flights the next year, flying from Mumbai to London on a Lockheed Constellation.

By the 1950s, India was home to a number of smaller airlines operating in different parts of the country. Some notable airlines were Deccan Airways, based in Hyderabad, and Kalinga Airlines, based in Kolkata. Air India remained the national carrier, flying multiple domestic and international routes.

In 1953, the Indian government nationalized the aviation industry, taking control of all major airlines. This resulted in the eight major airlines being merged into two airlines run by the government – Air India and Indian Airlines.

Related

History: 5 Landmark Events That Have Defined Indian Aviation

From the first commercial flight in the country to Air India’s privatization, we look back at some of the major defining moments in Indian aviation.

Government-run airlines

The two government airlines were simplified for efficiency. Indian Airlines operated domestic flights in India, and Air India focused on international routes. This led to a significant streamlining of operations, allowing the government to manage these airlines.

Air India International, the new airline, was India’s flag carrier and quickly became a major international carrier. Air India became known for its superior service and profitable business model, led by J.R.D Tata, who stayed on as Chairman of the airline post-privatization. The airline also became one of the first few to purchase the Boeing 747, hoping to keep its status as a premier airline.

However, the 1970s were marred by war and domestic disputes, leading Air India and Indian Airlines to struggle. Indian struggled in particular since it operated a number of unprofitable routes and was forced to manage its aging fleet. In the 1990s, at the peak of India’s financial crisis, India reversed its stance on regulation and allowed private airlines once again.

The birth of modern Indian aviation

By 1994, India repealed all laws regulating the formation of airlines and allowed the introduction of scheduled private airlines. This deregulation allowed for the formation of new airlines, such as Jet Airways and ModiLuft. This laid the groundwork for the current Indian aviation industry.

Following the 1994 reforms, India saw a number of airlines crop up. Air India and Indian Airlines continued to operate as government-run airlines. However, carriers such as Jet Airways and Air Sahara began chipping away at the legacy airlines, trying to establish themselves.

India’s deregulation also attracted foreign players. For instance, Lufthansa invested in ModiLuft, a joint-venture airline that failed to succeed. However, ModiLuft did go on to become SpiceJet, a key low-cost carrier.

The aviation boom

The 2000s marked the beginning of India’s aviation boom. Full-service carriers such as Air India and Jet Airways were challenged by a slew of low-cost airlines. Low-cost airlines drastically reduced fares, allowing millions more to fly and challenging the larger airlines.

Notable examples of low-cost airlines include IndiGo, SpiceJet, GoAir, and AirAsia India. These airlines now occupy over 70% of the domestic market and continue growing. This explosion of airlines and low fares has propelled India into the third-largest aviation market, requiring thousands of new aircraft in the coming decades.

Photo: BoeingMan777 | Shutterstock

The growth of the Indian aviation market has also attracted a number of foreign airlines. Carriers such as KLM, Emirates and Qatar Airways have become major long-haul carriers, flying to nearly a dozen cities each and holding a significant share of the market.

Related

Air India Introduces Enhancements To Flying Returns Program

The Tata-owned airline is bringing changes to its frequent flyer program.

What does the future hold?

India’s airline capacity in the last ten years, based on OAG Data, shows an upward trend:

As mentioned at the start, India remains the fastest-growing aviation market in the world. This has meant that both aircraft manufacturers and airlines are looking to expand into the Indian market. In the last ten years, Indian airline capacity has grown tremendously. Despite the downturn from the pandemic (2020 and 2021), the available capacity has not only recovered but has also been hiked to new levels.

Both Airbus and Boeing are pushing to sell their aircraft to the Indian market, which is set to buy nearly 2,000 planes in the next two decades. Airbus has found success with its A320, which is the common plane in India, while Boeing has dominated the smaller, yet growing, widebody market.

Photo: IndiGo

Air India’s fleet has grown by 20% in one year, consisting of 135 narrowbody and widebody aircraft. The recent addition of Airbus A350-900s and the forthcoming A320neos has boosted the airline’s expansion plans. The case is not too different for other major airlines, including IndiGo, which continues to expand its operations, including those with the wet-leased Boeing 777s.

The coming years will see the Indian market continue to grow as Indian airlines continue to expand. We will be keeping a close eye on India as it reaches another chapter in its long aviation history.

What do you think about India’s aviation market? What does the future hold for the industry? Let us know in the comments below.