Air transport is the most modern, the quickest and the
latest addition to the modes of transport. Because of
speed with which aeroplanes can fly, travel by air is
becoming increasingly popular.|
India has bilateral air services agreements with 93 countries
as on May 31, 1999. Air India Limited is the major international
carrier of the country. It operates services to USA Europe,
the Russian Confederation, the Gulf/Middle East, East
Asia, Far East and Africa. Air India owns a fleet of 26
aircraft consisting of six B-747-200, two B747-300 (Combi),
seven B747-400, three A 300-B4 and eight A 310-300 aircraft.
During 1998-99, Air India carried 3.15 million passengers as against 3.06 million in 1997-98.
Indian Airlines is the major domestic air carrier of the country. It operates to 57 domestic stations (including Alliance Air operations) and 17 international stations in 14 countries, viz., Pakistan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Thailand, Singapore, UAE, Oman, Myanmar, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. Its operations, including Alliance Air covers 76 destinations including 16 abroad. The Airlines owns a fleet of eleven A-300, thirty A-320, twelve B-737 and three Dornier -228 aircraft. All Boeing B- 737 aircrafts are being operated by its wholly owned subsidiary Alliance Air.
Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited has been providing helicopter support services to the petroleum sector including ONGC, Oil India Limited and Hardy Exploration at Chennai. Apart from these, it also provides services to certain state governments and public sector undertakings and in the north-eastern states.
Foreign airlines carrying international passenger traffic to and from India existed long before Independence. Their operations are governed by bilateral agreements signed from time to time between the Government of India and the governments of respective countries. In 1980-81, the number of such airlines was 35. It rose to 49 in 1996-97.The share of foreign airlines in India's scheduled international traffic has increased. In 1971, their share was 55.58 per cent which went up to 65 per cent and declined to 58 per cent during 1972-75. It fell to 55.72 per cent in 1976 and further to 55.02 per cent in 1977. Between 1978 and 1990 it gradually increased and rose to 75.93 per cent. In 1996, the share was nearly 72 per cent.