Airways Transport

Air transport is the fastest means of movement from one place to the other. It has reduced
distances by minimising the travel time. Air transport in India made a beginning in 1911
when airmail operation commenced over a little distance of 10 km between Allahabad and
Naini. The Airport Authority of India is responsible for providing safe, efficient air traffic and
aeronautical communication services in the Indian Air Space. The authority manages 125
airports. The air transport in India is managed by two corporations, Air India and Indian
Airlines after nationalisation. Now many private companies have also started passenger
services.

History of Indian Airlines

• 1911 – Air transport in India was launched between Allahabad and Naini.
• 1947 – Air transport was provided by four major companies namely IndiannNational
Airways, Tata Sons Limited, Air Services of India and Deccan Airways.
• 1951 – Four more companies joined the services, Bharat Airways, Himalayan
Aviation Limited, Airways India and Kalinga Airlines.
• 1953 – Air transport was nationalised and two Corporations, Air India International
and Indian Airlines were formed. Now Indian Airlines is known as ‘Indian’.

The importance of airways in India are—

• 1. Fastest transport: Airways are the fastest mode of transport. A huge

number of passengers fly from one place to another through airways
everyday.
• 2. Goods transport: The light and valuable commodities are usually
transported through airways. But heavy and bulk goods are not transported by
airways.
• 3. Foreign trade: Airways are very important for export and import of light and
valuable goods and perishable goods like meat, milk and milk products,
flowers, vegetables, fruits, etc. Thus, they play an important role in foreign
trade. Also, airways help in travelling from one country to another.
• 4. Distribution of reIief: Airways are themost dependable modes in case of
distribution of relief and medical aids during natural calamities in rugged
regions. They are also useful in rescue operations, land surveys etc.
• 5. Defence: Airways help to monitor the long borders of India. They help to
transport ration and soldiers to borders and other remote locations in times of
wars and other emergencies. Hence, they play an important role in ensuring
defence of the country.

Advantages of Air Transport:

The following are the main advantages:

1. High Speed:
It is the fast speed means of transport. Passengers and goods can be
transported easily from one place to the other.
2. Minimum Cost:
Unlike railways and road transport, there is no need to spend
money on the construction of any track or road, only airports have
to be constructed.

3. Strategic Importance:
An airway has great strategic importance. It can be used for internal
and external security.

4. Easy transport of costly and light goods:

It is quite convenient to send costly, light and perishable goods
through air transport.

5. Free from physical barriers:

Air transport is free from physical barriers like river, mountains and
valleys etc.

6. Useful in natural calamities:

During earth quake, flood, accidents and famine air transport is
used for rescue operations.

Disadvantages of Air Transport:

The following are the disadvantages:

1. High Costs:
Air transport in India is becoming very costly day by day with rising
operational costs.

2. Non Co-operation of Staff:

Indian airlines are facing problems due to non-cooperation of the staff, such
as, strikes by pilots, etc.

3. Outdated Planes:
Aviation technology is changing very fast. But our planes are outdated and not
very safe. Consequently Indian airlines find it difficult to compete with the
world airlines.

4. Huge Investments:
Creation of aviation facilities requires huge investments. The Government is
least capable of increasing the number of planes and airports in the country.
The private sector has its own limitations.

5. Inadequate Training Facilities:

There are no adequate facilities to train a large number of pilots in the
country. On privatization of airlines we are again facing the problem of
sufficient trained staff.

6. Maximization of Risks:
In air transport, risks are increasing day by day due to crime and terrorism,
violence, hijacking, etc. all over the world.