subject: The Evolution of Air India - The Flag Carrier of India [print this page] Air India is the flag carrier of India and easily the most well known airlines from the region all over the world. It has been so popular in part due to the fact that its mascot, the Maharaja has become one of the best and most popular airlines mascots all over the world. The main hubs of Air India are at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and at the Chattrapati Shivaji International Airport (formerly the Sahar International Airport) in Mumbai. The airline is a full service carrier which also moves cargo. Air India also maintains an international hub at Frankfurt and London is the focus city for it operations.
Air India was started as Tata Airlines in 1932 but had to cease operations during the Second World War. Following the end of the war, the company restarted it services in 1946. It became a public limited country and the name was changed to Air India. Following the independence of the country, the Government of India purchased 49% of the stock and kept the option to purchase 2% more of the Air India stock at any time it needed. In return. Air India was given the ability to operate as India's flag carrier and undertake international flying operations.
By the coming of 1953, the situation had changed and the Government of India exercised its right to acquire the two more percent of Air India stock. The company was thus nationalized after the passage of Air Corporations Act in the same year. Within one year, all the domestic operations of Air India were transferred to the Indian Airlines. In 1960, Air India entered the Jet Age when it acquired the first Boeing 707 420 which was named Gauri Shankar and registered as VT-DJJ. First jet services were to New York city via London. Within 2 years (by 1962) Air India became the first all jet airlines of the world.
In 2005 the company jumped on the low frills airlines bandwagon with Air India Express, it own low frills version. Currently Air India Express has almost one hundred flights in an given week, most of which are from Kerala and other southern states of India. Air India Express has 17 operational Boeing 737-800 planes and another four planes in dry lease.
In 2007, Air India was merged with Indian Airlines to form the National Aviation Corporation of India Limited which will maintain the Air India brand.
The Evolution of Air India - The Flag Carrier of India
