From 50 Years Ago: A Jet Age.

The jet age, even in commercial aviation, began some time ago...But if the accent is on the commercial aspect of the air services, the jet age is just about to begin. In a way it began, and began with a bang, on Sunday last when the Boeing 707 operated by Pan American had to cancel its scheduled flight to Rome because of the new surcharge on jet air fares enforced by the Italian Government. On the other hand, t ransit ion to jet means subst ant ial increase in capacity, for jet planes are big planes, and they are by no means luxury planes. So, to make jet travel pay, more passengers would be needed and hence the case for reduction, instead of increase, of air fare. This was the crucial issue before the International Air Transport Association, at its annual general meeting which concluded in Delhi this week.

The reason for the choice of Dellhi as the venue is not so obvious at first sight...The contrast of bullock carts and jet planes was too obvious... Despite the apparent incongruity of it , t here is, never t heless, also logic in t his choice. Some things, at least, a country can bypass and literally jump from bullock carts to jets.