Air-India

formerly
Tata Sons
Tata Air Lines

India

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In 1932, Tata Sons, a large industrial conglomerate, started a mail service over the route Karachi to Bombay, and on south to Madras. The airline became Tata Air Lines in 1938, by which time also Delhi and Colombo were serviced. After war services (when Calcutta was added to the network) in support of the Allies, Tata became Air-India in July 1946, to coincide with the airline turning into a public corporation. Together with the Indian Government, Air-India set up Air-India International in March 1948, to open intercontinental routes as the national flag carrier of India. With Air-India responsible for managing Air-India International, the two airlines worked closely together until 1953, when all airlines of India were nationalized. Air-India, Indian National Airways and other domestic and regional operators were brought together as Indian Airlines Corporation, which replaced the old airlines as of June 1953.

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Tata Sons (Tata Air Mail)
Undated (c. 1933)
(From the collection of Dacre Watson)
.Click to view the complete timetable

Tata Sons (Tata Air Mail)
Undated (c. summer 1935)
(From the collection of Dacre Watson)
Click for a view of the interior

Tata Sons (Tata Air Services)
1938
(From the collection of Dacre Watson)
.Click to view the complete timetable

Tata Air Lines
August 14, 1938
(From the collection of Dacre Watson)

Tata Air Lines
October 1938
(From the collection of Craig Morris)
Click for a view of the interior

BL

Tata Air Lines
Undated (c. 1939)
Route map w/timetable
Click for a view of the interior (route map)

BL

Tata Air Lines
November (1940?)
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BL

Tata Air Lines
June 1941
"Monsoon Timetable"
(System)
Click for larger view as well as a view of the interior

Tata Air Lines
Undated (c. October 1941)
(From the collection of Dacre Watson)
.Click to view the complete timetable

BL

June 14, 1947
Click for larger view

April 23, 1948
(From the collection of Dacre Watson)

BL

May 17, 1948
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June 11, 1948
(From the collection of Dacre Watson)

BL

August 11, 1948
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BL

January 4, 1949
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BL

August 2, 1949
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Click to view the complete July 1952 timetable of the Offical Airline Guide
published by Air Transport Association of India (BL)

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This page last updated January 9, 2023.