From the Archives (Jan. 29, 1919): Aeroplane Pleasure Flights Arranged at Calcutta.

Messrs. Spalding and Company of Calcutta are now registering applications for accommodation for pleasure flights by aeroplane round Calcutta at charges of Rs. 50 for adults and Rs. 25 for children. The aeroplane which the company expect will arrive about the end of March and is one of the largest machines constructed and is equipped with four Royce engines aggregating about 1200 horse power and giving a speed of 120 miles per hour. An “Empire” representative who made enquiries says that the company hope to start shortly a daily service from Calcutta to Darjeeling and an aerodrome and landing ground on a space of 100 acres is now being prepared at Dum Dum from which flights will commence. It is calculated that the journey from Calcutta to Darjeeling will be made in 3 hours and fares when service starts will be about Rs. 80 for each passenger. Passengers will be carried from Calcutta to Siliguri in larger planes of the service and from Siliguri to Darjeeling in smaller planes.