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As India’s oldest airline, flag carrier Air India has a long history of serving the country and connecting destinations globally. From being known as the best airline in the world to currently undergoing privatization, the airline has had an interesting seven decades. As Air India enters its latest chapter, let’s take a look back at the carrier’s history.
Air India began as a postal air carrier in the 1930s under JRD Tata. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Beginnings
Air India found its beginning at Tata Air Services in 1932, founded by entrepreneur JRD Tata. JRD himself had a long fascination with aviation and was the first person to receive a pilots license issued in India. This fascination quickly turned into a plan to form India’s first commercial airline in the early 1930s.