Ironically, India made its maiden international flight on June 8, 1948 to London, capital city of the country which kept her in fetters for almost 90 years
By PI BUREAU
June 8, 1948 marked a historic day for Indian aviation, particularly for Air India. It was the first international flight of independent India, heading to London, the capital of the UK, which had ruled over us for almost 90 years. A special 12-Anna stamp was issued to commemorate this occasion, with the inscription “First Air India International Flight – June 8, 1948.” This unique stamp holds significance as it was released for only one day.

With Air India venturing into its maiden international journey and a distinguished list of passengers, meticulous planning and extra efforts were put in place. Although Air India had experience operating domestic routes, international flights were a new territory. A carefully selected team was assembled for the new operation, and a delightful menu featuring hors d’oeuvres, a succulent main course, a delectable dessert, and savory dishes was chosen. Air India offices were established in Cairo, Geneva, and London, led by Mr. F. Nariman, Mr. G. Bertoli, and Mr. M. A. S. Dalal respectively. Captain K. R. Guzdar was entrusted with piloting the maiden international flight, and his excitement was palpable. The flight crew, filled with enthusiasm, walked down the tarmac towards the aircraft. The atmosphere was electric inside the small terminal building at Santa Cruz. Passengers, visitors, airport officials, and media personnel mingled, witnessing this historic event despite it being midnight. At one end of the terminal, the Air India contingent, led by Chairman J. R. D. Tata, observed the bustling crowd and acknowledged the immense hard work and dedication that went into making this dream come true.
On the flight deck, Captain Guzdar performed the pre-flight checks with a smile of anticipation. Inside the Malabar Princess, the crew conducted their pre-take-off rituals, while the air hostesses welcomed the boarding passengers with folded hands. The announcement echoed through the cabin, “On behalf of Captain Guzdar and your crew, we welcome you aboard our maiden flight to London via Cairo and Geneva…” The cabin lights dimmed as the aircraft taxied down the runway and soared into the sky.

Renowned as the King of Airwaves, Hamid Sayani of All India Radio, a celebrated announcer credited with popularizing Radio Ceylon across the Indian sub-continent, had just finished interviewing Capt. K R Guzdar at Santacruz Airport on June 8, 1948, prior to the departure of the maiden flight. The Times of India featured a non-graphic advertisement on June 3, 1948, displaying the airline’s mascot, the Maharajah, bowing to welcome passengers. The ad invited readers to “Fly with me to London via Cairo and Geneva every Tuesday in a beautiful Constellation for Rs.1,720.”
Among the distinguished passengers on board the Malabar Princess were Maharaja Shri Duleepsinhji, who hoped to play in the England-Australia Test match, Indian cyclists Mr. H.B. Malcolm and Mr. R.R. Noble, who were representing India at the 1948 Summer Olympics in Wembley, Neville Ness Wadia, a member of an old Parsi family with ties to the British East India Company, who married Dina Jinnah, the only child of Muhammad Ali Jinnah who chose to remain in India despite being descendants of the founding father of Pakistan.

Upon landing in London in the early hours of June 10, 1948, Malabar Princess had completed the journey in a little over 24 hours, a stark contrast to the less than 10 hours it takes for flights today.
The year 1948 marked a significant milestone in India’s civil aviation history. The industry was still in its infancy, with fewer airlines and smaller aircraft that lacked the capability for non-stop long-distance flights, unlike today’s modern aircraft like the Boeing 747-400. The Lockheed L-749 Constellation, a state-of-the-art aircraft at the time, could accommodate only 40 people. It had a range of 4,800 kilometers compared to today’s non-stop flights covering distances of up to 13,340 kilometers. Consequently, technical halts for refueling were necessary on flights like India’s maiden international flight, with Cairo and Geneva serving as such stops along the way.

Air India’s Inaugural International Flight ‘Malabar Princess’: At a Glance
- Date: June 8, 1948 (Tuesday)
- Departure Time: 00:05
- Aircraft Name: Malabar Princess
- Aircraft Type: Lockheed L-749 Constellation (40-seater)
- Registration Number: VT-CQS
- Departed from: Santa Cruz Airport in Bombay for London via Cairo & Geneva (5,000 miles)
- Captains in Command: K R Guzder (Bombay-Cairo) & D K Jatar (Cairo-Geneva-London)
- Passengers on Board: 35 (29 bound for London, 6 for Geneva)
- Fare: Rs. 1720 (Bombay-London)
- Cargo: The Malabar Princess carried 164 passenger bags with 1700 pounds of mail, including letters from Indians to their friends/relatives in Egypt, Switzerland, and the UK.