INDIA AVIATION & AIR MAIL HISTORY POST INDEPENDENCE

In 1947 at the time of India’s Independence, Nine Air Transport Companies, Tata Airlines, Indian National Airways, Air Service of India, Deccan Airways, Ambica Airways, Bharat Airways and Mistry Airways were operational. The number reduced to eight when the Orient Airways shifted its base to Pakistan.

It was on Tuesday, June 8, 1948, that Air India’s aircraft – Malabar Princess, a 40-seater Lockheed L-749 Constellation, registration number, VT-CQS, with Captain K.R. Guzder in command – departed at 00.05 am with 35 passengers, 29 were bound for London and six for Geneva

The 5,000-mile journey from Mumbai to London was covered in 24 hours via Cairo and Geneva. Malabar Princess arrived in London in the early hours of June 10, taking a little more than 24 hours. Mr Krishna Menon, the then Indian High Commissioner to the UK received the then Chairman of Air India, Mr J.R.D. Tata.

The fare was Rs.1720 from Bombay to London

The Passengers on board the Malabar Princess that night included Mr JRD Tata, Maharaja Shri Duleepsinhji who was looking forward to the England-Australia Test match, Mr H.B. Malcolm and Mr R.R. Noble, Indian cyclists, who were to represent India at the 1948 Olympic Games at Wembley, London.

AIR MAIL – The Malabar Princess was carrying 164 bags containing 1700 pounds of mail on board.

Philatelic Importance ​

A SPECIAL 12 ANNAS STAMP WAS DESIGNED AND ISSUED with the PHOTO OF A SUPER CONSTELLATION AIRCRAFT, SAME AS WHAT WAS USED TO FLY THE FIRST FLIGHT. THIS STAMP WAS TO BE USED ONLY FOR THIS DAY 8TH JUNE 1948. THE ISSUE OF STAMPS WAS STARTED ON 29TH MAY.