On this day: 15th October

On October 15, 1932, Air India, the flag carrier airline of India, began operations under the name Tata Airlines.

This significant event in aviation history occurred. Here are some key points about the founding and evolution of Air India:

1. Tata Airlines was founded by J.R.D. Tata, a pioneering Indian aviator and businessman.

2. The airline's first flight was piloted by J.R.D. Tata himself, flying a single-engine De Havilland Puss Moth from Karachi to Bombay (now Mumbai) via Ahmedabad.

3. Initially, the airline carried mail for Imperial Airways, but soon expanded to passenger services.

4. In 1946, the airline was renamed Air India, and in 1948, it launched its first international route from Bombay to London.

5. The Government of India acquired a majority stake in the airline in 1948, and it was officially nationalized in 1953.

6. Air India became India's national carrier and played a crucial role in connecting India to the world during the post-independence era.

7. Over the decades, Air India faced various challenges, including financial difficulties and competition from private airlines.

8. In a full circle moment, in January 2022, the Tata Group reacquired Air India from the government, bringing the airline back to its roots.

The founding of Tata Airlines, which later became Air India, marked the beginning of civil aviation in India and played a significant role in the country's economic and cultural connections with the rest of the world.