India’s pivotal role as the birth-place of air mail presents a unique opportunity to lead the global recognition of
World Air Mail Day. AMSI, through its first virtual exhibition AMSIPEX-25, seeks to honor India’s air mail
heritage, foster international philatelic collaboration, and inspire the celebration of World Air Mail Day.
World Air Mail Day. AMSI, through its first virtual exhibition AMSIPEX-25, seeks to honor India’s air mail
heritage, foster international philatelic collaboration, and inspire the celebration of World Air Mail Day.
Postal cancellation was used on mail carried on the 18th February 1911 flight.
History
India holds a special place in the history of air mail. The world’s first postally sanctioned Air Mail flight occurred in India on 18th February 1911, when French pilot Henri Pequet carried about 6,500 postal articles from Allahabad (now Prayagraj) to Naini in a Humber-Sommers biplane.
This event revolutionized global communication, demonstrating the potential of airmail to speed up postal services and connect people across long distances. News of this event spread across the world and nations like Britain, Germany, France, and the United States of America soon began organising similar events. Rapid developments in aircraft design and technology soon followed, allowing for bigger, faster, and more reliable aircraft. This led to the emergence of Civil Aviation and the growth of passenger traffic in the 20th Century.
World Air Mail Day
Despite the importance of air mail in the advancement of communication and transportation, World Air Mail Day is not celebrated globally. It is fitting for our nation to leads the effort to commemorate this historic achievement. AMSI is working to ensure that World Air Mail Day is widely recognized and celebrated on 18th February each year. We have reached out to various societies worldwide and received an encouraging response.
AMSIPEX-25 provides an ideal platform for launching this initiative. By celebrating World Air Mail Day, India will inspire other countries to honour her role in advancing global communication and trade. India is one of the world’s fastest-growing Civil Aviation markets and the world needs to recognise the many historic contributions our nation has made over the years.
AMSIPEX-25 provides an ideal platform for launching this initiative. By celebrating World Air Mail Day, India will inspire other countries to honour her role in advancing global communication and trade. India is one of the world’s fastest-growing Civil Aviation markets and the world needs to recognise the many historic contributions our nation has made over the years.