Jamair
| Company type | Privately held company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Founder | James B. Muff, Eddie Quinn |
| Defunct | 1977 |
| Headquarters | Calcutta , India |
| Products | Scheduled and unscheduled charter flights |
Jamair operated as a privately held airline headquartered in Calcutta, India, providing both scheduled and unscheduled charter flights.
History
Established in 1946 by James B. Muff, who previously served as chief engineer at the China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC), alongside Eddie Quinn, a CNAC radio operator and pilot, Jamair initially received support from the Maharajah Jam Sahib of Nawanagar. The airline’s base was located in Jamnagar, where the maharaja developed an airfield for its operations. By 1949–50, Muff and Quinn had purchased the Maharajah’s shares and moved the company to Dum Dum Airport in Calcutta, bringing along five C-47/DC-3 aircraft, spare parts, and a small technical team. The Chandak brothers, C. L. and P. C., joined the board and helped extend the airline’s reach into air supply services across north-east India.
With the expansion of commercial trade after World War II, Jamair obtained charter contracts from export houses, initiating international cargo flights to destinations in South America and Europe. After the 1953 government takeover of domestic routes, Jamair concentrated on private charter operations, broadening its network to include major Indian cities such as Bombay, Bangalore, and Delhi. In the early 1960s, it operated flights connecting Delhi Safdarjung Airport with locations in Rajasthan including Jodhpur and Bikaner.
In 1951, Herbert "Bob" Dequadros joined Jamair as chief engineer and general manager, spearheading growth that culminated in fleet enlargement in 1974 with the acquisition of three DC-4 aircraft from Indian Airlines. These planes were deployed on passenger services between Calcutta and Bombay via Panagarh but proved financially burdensome; one was dismantled for parts while the other two were sold to Air Works India by 1975. Despite incidents affecting two of its five DC-3s, these aircraft remained integral to Jamair’s operations.
The introduction of Boeing 737 aircraft by Indian Airlines on overlapping routes in 1976 exerted financial pressure on Jamair. Around 1966, the airline sought a partnership to maintain viability, which led to extended legal conflicts among stakeholders. In 1971, Bob Dequadros acquired a 40% ownership share. Founder James B. Muff continued overseeing northern operations until his death in Calcutta in 1977.
Increasing fuel expenses, labor disputes, heightened competition, a declining fleet size, and ongoing litigation ultimately forced Jamair to halt operations in late 1977. Following Muff’s passing, Dequadros managed outstanding legal affairs until his death in 1981. The remaining DC-3 aircraft were scrapped in 1978, with proceeds allocated toward employee salaries and legal costs.
Incidents and accidents
- 15 May 1954 – A Douglas C-47B (VT-DGO) operated by Jamair made a landing at Saugaon following an excessively high approach. Unable to regain altitude before the runway ended, the pilot retracted the landing gear causing the aircraft to skid off the runway and come to rest at the edge of a deep drainage ditch.
- 7 December 1961 – A Douglas C-47A (VT-AZV) crashed during takeoff from Amritsar due to fuel starvation combined with pilot error; both pilots survived but the airplane was declared a total loss.
- 5 December 1970 – Douglas C-47A VT-CZC crashed shortly after departing Safdarjung Airport in New Delhi after an engine failure on a non-scheduled passenger flight. Five fatalities occurred among sixteen occupants.
- 26 March 1971 – Douglas C-47A VT-ATT collided with terrain near Hashimara while flying from Guwahati to Bagdogra; all fifteen passengers and crew onboard lost their lives.
Fleet
As of 1977, the Jamair fleet consisted of eight airplanes, including five Douglas DC-3 models and three DC-4 units.