Kalinga Airlines
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation |
| Founded | 1947 |
| Founder | Biju Patnaik |
| Defunct | February 1972 |
| Fate | Nationalised in 1953; merged into Indian Airlines; operations recommenced as non-scheduled charter service in 1957; ceased operations in 1972 |
| Headquarters | Calcutta , India |
| Products | Passenger and cargo flights, supply drop missions, non-scheduled charter services |
Kalinga Airlines was a privately owned airline headquartered in Calcutta, India, established in 1947 by aviator and political figure Biju Patnaik, who also fulfilled the role of chief pilot. The airline underwent nationalisation and was incorporated into Indian Airlines in 1953. It recommenced operations as a non-scheduled charter service in 1957, providing passenger and cargo flights until 1972.
History
The airline's inception in 1947 saw founder Biju Patnaik, a former Royal Indian Air Force pilot during WWII, deploy Kalinga Airlines' DC-3 aircraft to transport military personnel to Kashmir and deliver supplies to the Northeast India region. In 1953, Kalinga Airlines became one of eight independent domestic carriers nationalised and merged into the Indian Airlines Corporation.
In December 1957, Kalinga Airlines resumed activity following the consolidation of five carriers—Assam Airways, Indamer Airways, Jamair, Kalinga, and Darbhanga Aviations—operating a fleet of 15 DC-3s. Beginning in May 1960, the airline concentrated on supply drop missions within Northeast India. It also ran non-scheduled flights connecting Bombay and Dubai but discontinued these services in October 1962 to prioritize supply operations. After the Indian Air Force assumed responsibility for air-drop missions in June 1967, Kalinga returned to conducting passenger and cargo charter flights until it ceased all operations in February 1972.
Incidents and accidents
- On 31 December 1951, a DC-3 carrying three crew members collided with trees during ascent under poor visibility conditions.
- On 15 September 1952, a Kalinga Airlines Douglas Dakota cargo aircraft crashed near Wadi Halfa, Sudan, resulting in the fatalities of all three crew onboard.
- On 10 April 1952, a Douglas C-47A-25-DK experienced loss of control during an emergency landing following engine failure.
- On 30 August 1955, at Simra, Nepal, a Kalinga Airlines Douglas Dakota prematurely took off to avoid runway crossing; two out of three crew members lost their lives.
- On 17 October 1965, a Douglas C-47A-75-DL carrying eight individuals crashed while performing supply drops near Mohanbari.