note

First called Tata Air Line (after one of its founders) Air India made its maiden flight in October 1932 to Karachi from Madras with de Havilland Moth. In July 1946, airline adopted its current title Air India. In 1948 airline flew its first international flight to London by the way of Cairo and Geneva with Lockheed Constellation. In 1953 Air India has been nationalized. In 1960 first Boeing 707 joint the fleet and put Air India into the Jet Age. Boeing 747's came in 1971 . Air India traditionally concentrated on International traffic, passenger as well as cargo. Airline leased Ilyushin IL-76's and DC-8's as cargo planes and operated scheduled cargo network. Air India has extensive network connecting India with Gulf states to cater to India's migrant workers. Its network include major cities in Europe, North America, Australia, East Africa and Far East. In January 1986 Air India received its first Airbus A310. In 2005 Air India established its low cost carrier subsidiary name Air India Express which operates from 33 destinations in India to the Gulf States and Singapore. It is utilized primarily by the migrant workers. In 2007 first Boeing 777s arrived, beginning long haul fleet renewal. In 2011, domestic flag carrier Indian Airlines and its regional subsidiary Alliance Airways were merged with Air India to newly created holding company National Aviation Company. This company was later renamed Air India LTD a full service airline serving both international and domestic network. Air India is a launch customer of Boeing 787 Dreamliner, first of which was delivered in September 2012. In June 2014 Air India became full member of the Star Alliance. In 2022 TATA Group purchased the airline and announced major revamp of the carrier to bring it on par with the likes of EMIRATES, SINGAPORE AIRLINES or ETIHAD. At the 2023 Paris Air Show, Air India signed firm orders to revamp its fleet that include 34 A350-1000, 6 A350-900, 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 10 Boeing 777X, 140 Airbus A320neo, 70 Airbus A321neo and 190 Boeing 737MAX aircraft all of which will cost cca $70 billion. Vistara airlines merged into Air India on November 12, 2024.

founded - demised (age)

June 1 1932 - present  (93years)

headquarters

Air India Bldg, Nariman Point, Bombay

web

www.airindia.com

base airports

VIDP Indira Gandhi International Delhi
VABB Chatrapati Shivaji International Mumbai

related operators

Air India Express	low cost subsidiary
Indian Airlines	subsidiary
Star Alliance	6/2014