2016-06-08 Wed

On June 8, 1948, India’s first international flight (Malabar Princess) took off. Named after a constellation, Malabar Princess the international flight of Air India flew for the first time.

After World War II Tata Airlines became a public limited company under the name Air India. In 1948, Air India International was granted status to operate international services from India.

On 8th June 1948, Malabar Princess took off from Bombay bound for London Heathrow marking the airline's first international flight. The airline further introduced services to Nairobi in Africa as well as to major European destinations Rome, Paris, and Dusseldorf.

Alas, "Malabar Princess" was lost in November 1950. She struck the face of Mont Blanc while on descent into Geneva killing all 40 passengers and 8 crewmembers aboard. Malabar Princess has achieved an honourary place in the history of India’s civil aviation.

To commemorate this occasion, India Post issued two special stamps; one in the year of 1948 and the other in 1998, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the take of Malabar Princess.

The stamp of 1948comes with the denomination of 12 Annas and features the image of flying Princess. On the other hand, the Golden Jubilee Stamp of INR6.00 depicts the Airliner, Air India ‘Maharaja’ on the Globe & Gateway of India (Bombay).