| The history of civil aviation in India started with its first commercial flight on February 18, 1911. It was a journey from Allahabad to Naini made by a French pilot Monseigneur Piguet covering a distance of about 10 km. Since then efforts were on to improve the health of India's Civil Aviation Industry. The first domestic air route between Karachi and Delhi was opened in December 1912 by the Indian State Air Services in collaboration with the Imperial Airways, UK as an extension of London-Karachi flight of the Imperial Airways.
The aviation industry in India gathered momentum after three years with the opening of a regular airmail service between Karachi and Madras by the first Indian airline, Tata Sons Ltd. However this service failed to receive any backing from the Indian Government.
At the time of independence nine Air Transport Companies were operational in the Indian Territory. Later the number reduced to eight when the Orient Airways shifted its base to Pakistan. The then operational airlines were Tata Airlines, Indian National Airways, Air service of India, Deccan Airways, Ambica Airways, Bharat Airways and Mistry Airways.
With an attempt to farther strengthen the base of the aviation sector in India, the Government of India together with Air India (earlier Tata Airline) set up a joint sector company, Air India International, in early 1948. With an initial investment of Rs. 2 crore and a fleet of three Lockheed constellation aircrafts, Air India started its journey in the Indian aviation sector on June 8, 1948 in Mumbai (Bombay)-London air route.
For many years since its inception the Indian Aviation Industry was plagued by inappropriate regulatory and operational procedures resulting in either excessive or no competition. Nationalization of Indian Airlines (IA) in 1953 brought the domestic civil aviation sector under the purview of Indian Government. Government's intervention in this sector was meant for removing the operational limitations arising out of excess competition.
Air transportation in India now comes under the direct control of the Department of Civil Aviation, a part of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism of Government of India.
Aviation by its very nature constitutes the elitist part of our country's infrastructure. This sector has substantial contribution towards the development of country's trade and tourism, providing easier access to the areas full of natural beauty. It therefore acts as a stimulus for country's growth and economic prosperity.
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