Pushpaka Aviation
Pushpaka Aviation Pvt. Ltd. was an air charter company based in Mumbai, India. It operated fleet of helicopters from its base at Juhu Aerodrome in Mumbai. It is involved primarily in crop dusting, aerial seeding,[1] and fleet maintenance in addition to its chartered passenger operations. As of July 2022, Pushpaka Aviation is non-operational.[2]
History
The company was started in 1969 by Mr. H.P. Rao, with three Bell 47G-5 helicopters to undertake agricultural crop spraying in India, whilst taking advantage of the subsidies offered to the farming community by the Government.[3] It was the first private company in India to start scheduled international passenger flights as an associate of the national carrier Air India from 1979 to 1983.
Pushpaka Airlines
Pushpaka Airlines, the airline division of Pushpak Aviation, began providing passenger and freight charter services from Mumbai to the Persian Gulf.[4] It operated as an associate of the National carrier Air India using two Sud Aviation Caravelle-6N aircraft, purchased from Indian Airlines in 1978.[5] Operations began initially as cargo services between Sharjah and Mumbai and were later expanded to carry passengers as well. The airline ceased functioning in June 1983.[6]
References
- ^ "Aerial seeding to enhance green cover in Mumbai". Sify. 16 October 2010. Archived from the original on 4 November 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
- ^ "Non Schedule Air Transport Service" (PDF). DGCA India. 15 April 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
- ^ "Scheduled International Passenger Airline". Pushpaka Aviation. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
- ^ "World Airline Directory". Flight Global. 2 April 1983. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
- ^ "Pushpaka Aviation Pvt. Ltd". Pushpaka Aviation. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
- ^ India today, Volume 8. 1983. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
