Indian Airlines Background

Indian Airlines is India's state owned primarily domestic airline, under the federal Union Ministry, Union of Civil Aviation and based in New Delhi. Its main bases are the international airports in Chennai, Mumbai, Koltata and New Delhi.

Indian Airlines operate closely with Air India, India's national flat carrier Alliance Air is a fully owned subsidiary of Indian Airlines. On 22nd February 2007, a Group of Ministers (GoM) has approved the merger of state-owned carriers, Air India and Indian (Indian Airlines Ltd).

The airline was set up under Air Corporations Act, 1953 with an initial capital of Rs.32 million and started operations on August 1, 1953. It was established after legislation came into force to nationalize the entire airline industry in India. Two new national airlines were to be formed along the same lines as happened in the UK with BOAC and BEA. Air India took over international routes and Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC) took over the domestic and regional routes.