The roots of British Airways (BA), one of the European civil aviation giants, date back to the post-World War I era, when four airlines joined hands to form Imperial Airways in 1924. Imperial Airways and some other carriers merged to form the current company in 1935. These two airline groups were nationalized in 1939 to form British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC). BOAC was the first airline in the world to operate jet planes. A new commercial aviation firm by the name of British European Airways Corporation (BEA) was nationalised to operate flights on the European and domestic routes. In 1974, both BOAC and BEA were merged to form BA with their respective managements, being brought under a single management earlier in 1972.
British Airways became the first airline along with Air France to fly Concorde, the only supersonic commercial aircraft, in 1976. It flew this aircraft on the transatlantic route from Heathrow Airport in London to New York City. All through the 1980s, the Concorde was one of the hallmarks of the BA flights on this route and also its pride possession. The airline operated profitably for the most part of the 1990s.
The India Connection
India was to be one of the first destinations to be connected by the airlines from the United Kingdom in 1919. It was on 30th October, 1919 that the Advisory Committee on Civil Aviation recommended connecting India along with other territories of the British Empire to the UK by air. The routes on these colonies were to be developed by private airlines with the support of the Crown.
For the development of the routes to the Indian subcontinent, South Africa and Australia over the next 10 years, Imperial Airways was offered a subsidy of GBP 1 million in 1924. By 1925, the aerial survey of the Egypt to India route was completed. On 27th December, 1926, the first survey flight to the Indian subcontinent was operated, using a DH66 Hercules G-EBMX l, which landed first in Karachi and then in Delhi on January 6 and 8, 1927, respectively. Lady Irwin on 10th January named this aircraft, City of Delhi. The Cairo-Baghdad-Basra route was extended to India in January 1927.
BA still retains a significant presence in India, operating flights to five of its cities from the UK: New Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai. India is one of the biggest markets for BA in the Asia-Pacific region. The strength of its presence can be credited largely to its historical connection and a strong brand name, operating flights for the last 90 years.
The Heritage Centre
All these historical developments are well chronicled in the British Airways Heritage Centre. It has been in existence since the formation of the airline and is tasked with maintaining the records of predecessor companies. A number of artefacts are stored as collectibles that include posters, photographs and uniforms. In 2009, on the occasion of commemorating 90 years of operation, its page was launched as part of the official carrier website. People can even buy posters and photographs online through the website of the Heritage Centre.
A strong name in the aviation sector since 1972, the carrier was voted as the most preferred brand by Britons in 2016, further cementing its place in history.
British Airways became the first airline along with Air France to fly Concorde, the only supersonic commercial aircraft, in 1976. It flew this aircraft on the transatlantic route from Heathrow Airport in London to New York City. All through the 1980s, the Concorde was one of the hallmarks of the BA flights on this route and also its pride possession. The airline operated profitably for the most part of the 1990s.
The India Connection
India was to be one of the first destinations to be connected by the airlines from the United Kingdom in 1919. It was on 30th October, 1919 that the Advisory Committee on Civil Aviation recommended connecting India along with other territories of the British Empire to the UK by air. The routes on these colonies were to be developed by private airlines with the support of the Crown.
For the development of the routes to the Indian subcontinent, South Africa and Australia over the next 10 years, Imperial Airways was offered a subsidy of GBP 1 million in 1924. By 1925, the aerial survey of the Egypt to India route was completed. On 27th December, 1926, the first survey flight to the Indian subcontinent was operated, using a DH66 Hercules G-EBMX l, which landed first in Karachi and then in Delhi on January 6 and 8, 1927, respectively. Lady Irwin on 10th January named this aircraft, City of Delhi. The Cairo-Baghdad-Basra route was extended to India in January 1927.
BA still retains a significant presence in India, operating flights to five of its cities from the UK: New Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai. India is one of the biggest markets for BA in the Asia-Pacific region. The strength of its presence can be credited largely to its historical connection and a strong brand name, operating flights for the last 90 years.
The Heritage Centre
All these historical developments are well chronicled in the British Airways Heritage Centre. It has been in existence since the formation of the airline and is tasked with maintaining the records of predecessor companies. A number of artefacts are stored as collectibles that include posters, photographs and uniforms. In 2009, on the occasion of commemorating 90 years of operation, its page was launched as part of the official carrier website. People can even buy posters and photographs online through the website of the Heritage Centre.
A strong name in the aviation sector since 1972, the carrier was voted as the most preferred brand by Britons in 2016, further cementing its place in history.
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