Air transport in India made its beginning in 1853 when a line was constructed from Bombay to Thane, covering a distance of 34 km.

Air Transport in India: Beginning and First Route

In India, the beginning of air transport can be traced back to the year 1853. The first route to operate in India was the Bombay (now Mumbai) to Thane route.

1853: The Inception of Air Transport in India
The inception of air transport in India dates back to 1853 when the first air route was established. At that time, the transport mechanism used was not airplanes but rather the humble hot air balloon. This marked the beginning of air transport in the country and laid the foundation for its future development.

Bombay (Mumbai) to Thane Route: The First Operating Route
The first route to operate in India was between Bombay (now Mumbai) and Thane. The flight was conducted by a Frenchman named Jean-Bernard-Léon Foucault. He was a physicist and a pioneer in the field of ballooning. Foucault's flight covered a distance of approximately 13 kilometers and lasted for about 20 minutes. Although this may seem like a short distance, it was a significant achievement at that time and marked the first successful air transport operation in India.

Significance of the Bombay to Thane Route
The choice of the Bombay to Thane route for the first air transport operation in India was significant for several reasons:

1. Proximity: Bombay and Thane are neighboring cities, which made it a suitable route for the initial experiment in air transport.

2. Feasibility: The relatively short distance between the two cities made it feasible for a hot air balloon to cover the distance within a reasonable time frame.

3. Demonstration of Potential: The successful operation of the Bombay to Thane route demonstrated the potential of air transport as a mode of travel and paved the way for future advancements in the field.

4. Public Interest: The flight by Foucault garnered significant public interest and attention, contributing to the popularization of air transport in India.

Overall, the year 1853 marked the beginning of air transport in India, with the first route being the Bombay to Thane route. This pioneering flight by Jean-Bernard-Léon Foucault laid the foundation for the development of air transport in the country and sparked a new era of transportation.