- Historic 1911 Prayagraj Flight by Henri Pequet Launched Global Aviation Postal Era
- Ahmedabad Foreign Post Office Dispatches Over 2 Lakh International Air Mail Articles Annually
- Postal Department Continues to Connect 200+ Countries Through Airborne Mail Networks
- “Air Mail Service Gave Wings to Letters and People’s Dreams,” Says Postmaster General Krishna Kumar Yadav
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, FEB 22
India proudly commemorates 115 years of the world’s first official air mail service, a historic aviation and postal milestone launched on February 18, 1911, from Prayagraj, fundamentally transforming global communication.
Postmaster General of North Gujarat Region, Ahmedabad, Krishna Kumar Yadav, said this pioneering event marked the moment when letters first took to the skies, laying the foundation for modern air mail systems worldwide.
“This historic event took place 115 years ago on February 18, 1911 in Prayagraj. On that day, French pilot Henri Pequet created a new history by carrying 6,500 letters from Prayagraj to Naini in his aircraft,” he said.
The 13-Minute Flight That Changed Global Communication Forever
The historic flight took off at approximately 5:30 pm from the banks of the Yamuna during the Uttar Pradesh Exhibition, held alongside the Kumbh Mela.
“About one lakh people gathered at Prayagraj to witness the postal flight when the aircraft crossed the river, travelled nearly 15 kilometres, and landed near Naini Junction in just 13 minutes,” Krishna Kumar Yadav said.
At a time when aviation itself was a novelty, the aircraft had been imported in parts and assembled at the exhibition site in full public view, sparking immense curiosity and excitement.
“Although the flight was just six miles, there was a historic festive atmosphere in Prayagraj,” he noted.
He added that Colonel Y. Wyndham had approached postal authorities for approval to transport mail by air, resulting in the world’s first official airborne postal dispatch. The mailbags bore the inscription “First Air Mail” and “Uttar Pradesh Exhibition, Allahabad,” printed in distinctive magenta ink.
“The organizers were concerned about weight restrictions, and after careful calculation, only 6,500 letters were allowed to be carried,” he said.
Air Mail Revenue Supported Education, Triggered Massive Public Response
Krishna Kumar Yadav said special arrangements were made in advance to facilitate this unprecedented postal experiment.
“The special duty for this first air mail service was fixed at six ana, and the income from it was donated to Oxford and Cambridge hostels, Allahabad,” he said.
Public enthusiasm was extraordinary, with postal counters witnessing heavy crowds.
“The Oxford Cambridge hostel had turned into a mini GPO due to overwhelming demand, and thousands of letters were booked within days,” he added.
Some letters even bore postage stamps valued as high as Rs 25, reflecting the significance and prestige attached to the historic flight.
Ahmedabad Emerges as Major International Air Mail Hub
Highlighting the continuing legacy of air mail services, Krishna Kumar Yadav said Ahmedabad’s Foreign Post Office remains a vital gateway for global postal connectivity.
“At present, more than 20,000 bags are being sent every month to India and abroad by air from the Foreign Post Office, Ahmedabad. Approximately 25,000 mails and parcels are sent to more than 200 countries every month,” he said.
He added that Ahmedabad dispatches over 2 lakh international mails and parcels annually, supported by direct bagging facilities for 60 countries, while other consignments are routed through major metro hubs such as Delhi and Mumbai.
“At the same time, more than 19,000 bags containing mails and parcels weighing about 80,000 kilograms are transported every month within India by air from Ahmedabad,” he said.
Letters Remain Timeless Symbols of Human Connection
Despite rapid advances in digital communication, Krishna Kumar Yadav emphasized the enduring emotional and historical value of postal correspondence.
“Letters hold a unique place as living documents of their time. Many letters have transformed into pages of literature,” he said.
He underscored the transformative role of air mail in shaping global connectivity.
“The air mail service not only gave wings to letters but also provided flight to people’s dreams. Its contribution in connecting the world will always remain unforgettable.”
