Coll 5/31 ‘Air Route to India: Prohibition of private flights along the Arabian Coast of the Persian Gulf’ [‎509r] (1017/1247)

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The file contains correspondence and notes on the subject of private (or chartered) flights through the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. states in special treaty relations with the British Government, these states being: Bahrain, Kuwait (also spelt Koweit), Muscat (Oman), and Sharjah. Prior to 1946, the correspondence is concerned with the British policy of maintaining a strict prohibition on flights by private aviators and on chartered flights by airlines. From 1946 onwards, the correspondence is more concerned with facilitating private and chartered flights through the aforementioned states; British restrictions on private aviation had to be lifted once Britain became a signatory of the Chicago Convention (1944).

Specific measures covered in the file include: British efforts to convince the rulers of Bahrain, Kuwait, and Muscat, to delegate to them the authority to refuse private aviators access to these territories; a subsequent effort to obtain, from the Shaikh of Bahrain, permission to grant access to Bahrain to private flights; and measures taken to notify aviators of the restrictions in place (prior to 1946) on private flights through the Arabian Coast Route.

Another topic covered in the file is the introduction of sanctions for breaches of the Air Navigation Regulations for Bahrain, Kuwait, and Muscat. The sanctions were specifically aimed at deterring private aviators from using the Arabian Coast Air Route without prior authorisation. The file therefore includes copies of draft notices of the introduction of King's Regulations in 1936 under the Kuwait Order in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. (folio 374, final edition on folio 364), the Bahrain Order in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. (folio 375), and the Muscat Order in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. (folio 376). It also includes a draft notification of regulations to be introduced by the Sultan of Muscat and Oman (folio 373).

Copies of a number of orders in council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. have been included in the file:

• The Kuwait Order in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. (1935): see folios 399-414
• The Bahrain Order in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. (1913): see folios 415-427
• The Muscat Order in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. (1915): see folios 428-441

The details of a number of flights, or proposed flights, made by private aviators are recorded within the file, either as a result of an unauthorised landing or a proposal to fly through Arabia. This includes the following: the landing of Maurice Wilson at Bahrain in 1933, the landing of Mr de Montaigu at Bahrain in 1934, the landing of Francis William Rickett at Sharjah in 1937, a proposed round the world flight by Amelia Earhart in 1937, and a proposed circular flight round the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. by Hassan Anis Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. in 1938. From 1946 references to private flights become much more common, and the details supplied much more brief. However, basic itineraries of proposed flights (including details such as dates, times, and stopping points) can still be found within the file.

The French language content of the file consists of a small amount of correspondence received from the French Embassy in London, and a single letter from the Belgian Embassy, also in London.

The main correspondents in the file are as follows: the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Bahrain, the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Kuwait, and the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. and Consul at Muscat. There is also correspondence with officials of the following departments: the Air Ministry, the Foreign Office, the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. (the Commonwealth Relations Office from August 1947), the Foreign and Political Department of the Government of India (External Affairs Department from 1937), and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. It also includes correspondence with British representatives from around the world, a few letters from various oil companies, and diplomatic representations from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and the United States.

There is no correspondence in the file for the years 1939-45.

The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format

1 file (622 folios)

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 623; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

Written in

English and French in Latin script

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