On 1 December 1937, the twin-engine de Havilland DH-89 Dragon Rapide aircraft made history by being equipped with wireless transmission facilities on the Karachi–Bombay–Colombo route. This marked a significant technological advancement in civil aviation in the Indian subcontinent.
The addition of wireless communication greatly improved flight safety and navigation, enabling pilots to maintain real-time contact with ground control and other stations along the route. Prior to this, communication during flights was extremely limited, often relying on visual signals and scheduled stops.
The Dragon Rapide, known for its reliability and short-haul performance, was a popular aircraft in the 1930s. Its deployment on key regional routes connecting present-day Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka played a crucial role in laying the groundwork for modern commercial aviation across South Asia.
This development was part of a broader push toward modernization of aviation infrastructure during the pre-independence era, demonstrating early efforts to bring global aviation standards to the region.
