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Let Your Dreams Take Flight:10 Career Options In Aviation!

AirWhizzNov 26, 2018 No Comments

Let Your Dreams Take Flight:10 Career Options In Aviation!

Aviation Insider

The aviation industry has some of the most lucrative and glamorous jobs anyone can think of.

The most attractive parts of working in the airline industry are the salaries, the lifestyle, and the prestige that comes along when representing an airline.

It’s like a family and everyone involved in it works together to make your air travel as comfortable and safe as possible.

When people think about jobs in aviation they think about being a pilot or a cabin crew member. But, there is more than what meets the eye.

But before we discuss how you can be a part of this industry lets discuss how to get a professional degree for it.

BBA In Aviation Management

If you’ve passed your 12th standard, go for a BBA in Aviation Management

Learn the fundamentals of Aviation, Travel and Tourism, business communication, aviation operations, safety & security along with role of human resource management in this sector.

MBA In Aviation Management

Airlines & aviation companies are expanding at a phenomenal rate in India.

Which means that they will require people to plan infrastructure modernisation, investment analysis, scope of fleet expansion and many such management functions.

Getting a unique & structured MBA programme in aviation management will lay the foundation for a great career graph in the industry.

You will be able to learn about things like fleet management, ground handling, cargo, customer service, medical tourism, crew management & ticketing.

Where You Should Pursue These Degrees From

The Institute of Logistics And Aviation Management (ILAM), with its state of the art campuses in major cities, offers specialised BBA & MBA programmes in partnership with airlines such as IndiGo, SpiceJet & Jet Airways as recruiters.

These programs are very unique and come with inbuilt live practical sessions pertaining to aircraft ground handling, safety training and Galileo software training to name a few.

These courses provide a blend of practical and theoretical knowledge which will make you stand apart for your future employees.

Now that we’ve discussed how to get a professional degree, let’s see some amazing ways in which you can become a part of this industry.

Pilot

This one is obvious. All you have to do is to attend a course or academy to get your Air Transport Pilot License (ATPL).

Once you have the flying license, you’ll have to get some flying hours on your record for the experience.

Being a pilot is great! You get to travel to different places, fly an airplane and enjoy the view at 30000 feet in the air.

Cabin Crew

20% of all the employees in the aviation industry are working as cabin crew members.

The major part of the job as a cabin crew member is to make sure that air passengers are feeling comfortable and safe while flying in an airplane or in emergency situations.

To become a cabin crew member you can go for small courses or join institutes and academies which train and teach you how to be a part of an airline’s cabin crew.

Airport Station Attendant/Airport Assistant

The name of this job describes its role.

If you want to work as an airport assistant, you’ll be responsible for assisting customers with general queries and support.

The support can vary from assisting physically abled or elderly with wheelchairs to help a customer with directions. An Airport assistant is always there when it comes to assisting passengers on the ground.

Flight Ticket Agent

These agents are the people you will see assisting passengers at the ticket counter.

The job requires them to issue boarding passes, giving information about the flights, helping in reservations or changes, and receiving the check-in luggage.

They are the face of the airline they are representing and are first people to greet the passengers when they arrive at the airport.

Administrative Support

All airlines require administrative support for the smooth operation.

Administer support is a general word used for job profiles such as receptionists, data entry workers, communications, PR specialist, secretaries, I.T. administrator etc.

Administrative support also includes a human resource department who are responsible for hiring, labor relations issues, and training of employees.

Aviation Meteorologist

Aviation meteorologists provide information about weather conditions to flight dispatchers and pilots.

They have a huge responsibility and have to make sure that the airplane is safe.

They have to calculate the current and the forecasted weather conditions at all altitudes, by determining the direction and speed of the wind, the intensity of lightning and rain conditions.

Flight Dispatcher

They are responsible for the safety of the aircraft’s flight.

They do this by preparing a flight plan, which is a detailed schedule of destinations, layovers, distance, expected fuel consumption, weather conditions, altitude, compass bearing, and alternate destinations in case problems arise.

Avionics  Technicians/Mechanics

They are the specialized technicians and mechanics who look after servicing and maintaining the aircraft on the ground.

Aircraft mechanics make sure that the aircraft has no mechanical related issues by conducting routine maintenance and safety checks.

Avionics technicians service the electronics systems of an aircraft by repairing, installing, and troubleshooting avionic equipment.

Crew Schedule Coordinator

An airline’s crew schedule coordinator looks after the staffing of the air and ground support crew.

If there are any troubles with the flight taking of due to weather conditions or technical issues, it is their responsibility to make adjustments in the scheduling plan of the cabin and ground crew.

Aviation Attorney

Aviation attorneys specialize in civil or general aviation-related cases.

Many aviation attorneys represent government organisations such as the DGCA, while others may be on staff or on a contractual basis by large corporations who own airplanes or deal with airlines

Conclusion

There are many other ways in which you can join the aviation industry. You can look online for the openings in airline industry or airports. This industry also offers jobs indirectly to professions like travel agents, insurance agents etc.

It is estimated that by 2025 India will be the 3rd largest aviation market in the world.

Areas such as customer service, operations, logistics, airport management, retail, medical tourism, and many more sectors will see huge prosperity and growth. So if you’ve had a dream of living the lifestyle called aviation, then now is the time to be in it or think about being a part of it.

So go ahead and let your dreams take flight!

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IndiGo & SpiceJet To Now Charge For Web Check-in!

AirWhizzNov 26, 2018 No Comments

IndiGo & SpiceJet To Now Charge For Web Check-in!

Aviation Insider

Low-Cost Carriers, IndiGo & SpiceJet, will now charge you a fee to use their online check-in services!

Passengers earlier had to pay a fee for selecting a seat with the 2 airlines however, the budget airliners have announced that they will charge for online check-in services as well, to make up for high cost of operations.

Mumbai-based low-cost carrier GoAir is still offering some seats for free. Full-service airlines like Jet Airways, Vistara don’t charge for seat selection.

IndiGo and SpiceJet’s decision comes at a time when airlines are struggling with rising costs but can’t afford to raise ticket fares due to competition.

Such charges will help to boost ancillary revenue of the airlines. Ancillary revenue consists of charges like baggage fees, seat selection fees, cancellation charges.

Experts said that airlines were free to charge for the online check-in service as aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation(DGCA) has allowed unbundling of services.

The move of the airlines was, however, received with shock and anger from flyers who tagged civil aviation minister Mr. Suresh Prabhu and his deputy Mr. Jayant Sinha on Twitter and urged to stop the practice.

Flyers have said that this will lead to increased congestion at major airports like Delhi and Mumbai as more people will now turn up in airport counters for check-in.

This, in turn, will also increase the burden for airlines at airports forcing them to increase check-in counters and hire more people.

Another major problem that people pointed out was that there will be no guarantee that tickets bought at the same time(Same PNR)  will allow passengers to sit together. To get the seats together, one will have to do it through the web check-in. Else, they will have to go for the free seats, which will be allotted as per availability.

However, web check-in for the seats booked for corporate use are still available free of cost.

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IndiGo Becomes 1st Indian Airline To Fly 5 Million Passengers In A Month!

AirWhizzNov 24, 2018 No Comments

IndiGo Becomes 1st Indian Airline To Fly 5 Million Passengers In A Month!

Aviation Insider

India’s leading airline, IndiGo,  has achieved a new feat in the month of October 2018 becoming the first domestic airline to fly more than five million passengers in a particular month.

According to Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) monthly performance report for October 2018, IndiGo has flown 50.75 lakh passengers in October.

Between January to October 2018, IndiGo carried 11.5 crore passengers, 21.1% higher than the last year’s figure.

It will also become the 1st airline in India to have 200 airplanes. For now it has 196 aircraft but will soon cross the 200 mark by next year.

India’s second-biggest airline Jet Airways flew 15.72 lakh passengers in the month of October, which was the second highest followed by Air India and SpiceJet.

Compared to the year so far, passenger traffic growth slowed down last month as domestic airlines increased spot fares on the back of higher fuel prices and a weaker rupee.

In terms of aircraft occupancy, Spicejet bagged the top spot in October recording an occupancy rate of 90.8%. GoAir stood second in the list with 84.1 % occupancy followed by IndiGo, which recorded 83.1 % occupancy.

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10 Things You Can Get For Free On An International Flight!

AirWhizzNov 23, 2018 No Comments

10 Things You Can Get For Free On An International Flight!

Travel Like a Pro

The competition in the airline industry has increased a lot recently and this has helped customers in return. Flights have become cheaper than before and Airlines are offering a variety of services to the flyer.

Some of these services include free stuff that is being provided to make our long air travel easy.

So, go ahead and enjoy these free services that you can get when you fly with an International Airline

1.Basic Medical Facilities

This is an important service, which is mandatory for airlines to provide, by law. All commercial airlines have bandages for minor cuts, painkillers, antacids and other medical kit items.

So, in case you feel sick contact any member of the crew to get assistance. The crew is also well trained to tackle such situations and can help you.

You don’t need to worry during a medical emergency. All you need to do is to reach out to the crew.

2.Extra Snacks & Seconds

The small packets of snacks always leave us wanting for more. There is a common misconception that if you had your snacks once, you can’t have them again.

The good news is that you can ask for it the second time as well!

The flight crew will be more than happy to serve you with extra snacks, but they can do it only when they are done serving snacks to all the passengers.

The chances of having extra snacks increase at late night flights because many passengers avoid munching at that time.

3.Kid’s Essentials

Airlines care about their little flyers and do their best to keep babies and Kids at ease.

Many airlines provide parents with facilities like kid’s diapers, reheating the baby’s bottle or food, and baby bassinets for an infant.

The crew members are trained for short-term babysitting, which can be availed by parents during tiring moments on a flight.

4.Grooming kits

Airlines know the importance of looking sharp.

That’s why most of them are equipped with grooming accessories like hairbrushes, combs, toothbrushes, socks, shaving items, mouthwash, and moisturizers.

So, in case, you forget any of these items, ask the crew politely and avail the facility.

5.Cockpit Tours

This may seem a bit confusing, given the security inside an airplane cockpit, but if you ask, many pilots are more than willing to give mini cockpit tours before or after the flight.

The best time for a visit is usually after a flight has landed, since that’s when pilots tend not to be as rushed.

Many pilots love to get visitors, especially wide-eyed children. It makes their day to have the chance to show off their office.

6.Sanitizing Wipes/Tissues

The stream of passengers passing through airplanes each day turns tray tables, armrests, and entertainment-system buttons into germ factories.

If you’d like to clean your area before settling in, ask a flight attendant for a few sanitizing wipes. They often have them on hand, though it’s not something most passengers know they can ask for.

7.Water Bottle Refills

If onboard supplies allow it, flight attendants are usually willing to refill your empty bottle of water for you.

Since passengers who carry their own water bottles must empty them before going through security at the airport, this added service can come in extra handy for the hydration-conscious.

8.Help Switching Seats

Have a seat assignment that’s got you sitting far from a travel companion?

Flight attendants are often willing to help negotiate seat switches so you can sit together. They can help if there’s time, so if you’re going to ask for help, do it soon after boarding.

They may ask you to wait until everyone has taken their seats (or until you’re at cruising altitude), but it’s better to have your polite request on their mind for whenever they have a second.

9.Alcohol

Cheers! Most airlines offer free alcoholic beverages in first and business class and a selection of free wine/beer on international flights.

So if you need something to calm your nerves down at 30000 feet or just want to kick back and relax on your seat, don’t hesitate to go for that extra pint of beer, cause its free!

10.Wing Pins For Kids

Most airlines have cut free food and snacks for adults and kids, but many still offer little flyers wing pins to commemorate their flight.

Not all flights will have them, but there’s no harm in asking. Usually, flight attendants have them stashed somewhere in the cabin itself.

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Varanasi Airport To Have India’s 1st Facial Recognition Security System!

AirWhizzNov 23, 2018 No Comments

Varanasi Airport To Have India’s 1st Facial Recognition Security System!

Aviation Insider

Air passengers from Varanasi airport will be among the first who can board flights via a facial recognition system.

Under Digi Yatra, which is a Civil Aviation Ministry initiative launched to promote paperless, hassle-free and speedy airport entry, a facial recognition system will be introduced at four government-run airports.

Varanasi airport Director Mr. AK Rai has said that the installation of the automated security system is already under process. The airport’s entry, security and boarding points, the automated walkthrough security scanners are being set up, which have been equipped with facial recognition technology.

After the installation of the system, security checks will be carried out through facial recognition as soon as travellers walk through the scanner.

However, there will be no alteration in the way the luggage of the passenger is being checked. The airport Director added that the system will be put into service over the next four months.

The four government-run airports for which the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has issued requests for proposal (RFP) are Varanasi, Pune, Kolkata and Vijayawada. AAI is inviting companies to work out the logistics as well as implement the system.

Under the Digi Yatra initiative, a passenger will first have to get a unique ID by registering on the Digi Yatra portal using an approved ID proof document such as Aadhaar, PAN or driving license.

Once this step is completed, the passenger will have to go through a one-time facial verification at an e-gate at the airport’s departure terminal.

Following this, the details will be stored on a centralized registration system and thereafter, the passenger’s face will act as the boarding pass. Then, the passenger after dropping off baggage, if any, can directly proceed for security check.

The aim of the ministry is to reduce the waiting time of passengers by implementing this system. It is also being expected by the ministry that the move will lead to a reduction in overall costs and ultimately in airfares.

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Indian Airlines Seek Government’s Help To Get Out Of Financial Instability!

AirWhizzNov 22, 2018 No Comments

Indian Airlines Seek Government’s Help To Get Out Of Financial Instability!

Aviation Insider

Airlines are asking the government to help them obtain unsecured credit from oil companies and airports to help them get over operational difficulties, as rising oil prices have threatened their financial stability.

Competition and high demand for air travel is forcing airlines to keep airfares low, which in turn is having a drastic effect on their day to day operational costs.

The Federation Of Indian Airlines (FIA), which consists of Jet Airways, IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir, have sent a letter to the government addressing this issue saying that “Airlines are facing challenging times and substantial losses in the domestic environment”.

In the letter, airlines have asked the government to assist them to acquire a penalty-free, one-month unsecured credit from oil companies, as well as state-run Airports Authority of India and private airports.

The plea is the latest signal of the crisis facing airlines in India, where the world’s fastest growth in air travel has created a capacity shortage, while high fuel prices and a weaker rupee squeeze them further.

Base airfares can be as low as Rs 1 in India, while states charge taxes as high as 30% on jet fuel. The rupee has weakened almost 11% this year against the dollar, driving up financing costs on overseas borrowings. Airlines are unable to pass on those costs to the customer to keep their market share.

CRISIL, a renowned global analytics firm, has suggested that airlines will have to increase their current airfares by 12 % if airlines want to recover their losses and have enough to operate their day to day functions.

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Flying From Delhi Airport To Become Costlier Starting 1st December!

AirWhizzNov 21, 2018 No Comments

Flying From Delhi Airport To Become Costlier Starting 1st December!

Aviation Insider

Flying from Delhi Airport may become costlier for travellers from December 1st following a hike in the airport charges levied by authorities on airlines and passengers.

Delhi airport charges have been increased seven times to a flat Rs 77 for each departing domestic and international passenger, starting next month.

Currently, domestic flyers pay Rs 10 each for departing from the IGI airport while an international traveller has to shell out Rs 45 as User Development Fee (UDF).

The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India has approved this hike after Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) put forward their point citing the current tariffs were below the base airport charge set out in the government agreement when Delhi Airport was privatised in 2006.

Apart from higher passenger charge, airport fuel concession fee has also increased by Rs 500/Kilo liter. Aircraft landing charges have also been increased by about 5%  which will increase the cost incurred to a carrier.

Airline officials have said that a 3-7% hike in airfares may be necessary to meet higher airport charges however, this is not confirmed.

While discussing the hike sought by DIAL, Federation of India, an umbrella organisation representing IndiGo, Jet Airways, SpiceJet and GoAir, told AERA that the application of basic airport charges would have an adverse impact on airlines and passengers.

The charges are expected to rise again as DIAL has capital expenditure plans between 2019 and 2024 control period. A new runway and taxiways will be built at the IGI airport, which has a capacity to handle 70 million passengers per year, apart from the expansion of Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 buildings.

The Delhi airport tariff is up for renewal from April next year.

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Airlines May Soon Be Ranked On The Basis Of Customer Feedback!

AirWhizzNov 20, 2018 No Comments

Airlines May Soon Be Ranked On The Basis Of Customer Feedback!

Aviation Insider

India citizens may soon rank its airlines based on the quality of service they provide to flyers. If this concept is implemented it will be the first country in the world to do so.

The quality will be determined by the ratio of passengers flying with a particular airline and the number of complaints registered against it.

Aviation Minister, Mr. Suresh Prabhu, said this on Monday while launching an upgraded version of the ministry’s aviation portal “Air Seva 2.0”, which promises to make registration of grievances and their redressal faster.

According to Mr. Prabhu, the ministry with the help of the portal will categorise airlines. For this, they will take the help of Quality Council Of India to determine the parameters for ranking airlines.

Airlines ranked lower will have to work to improve their standings as passengers will choose the airlines which are more customer friendly. This way the overall service from airlines is bound to improve.

Mr. Prabhu and his deputy in the ministry, Mr. Jayant Sinha, have always been very proactive on social media. They say that their social media accounts are flooded with complaints from various flyers across the country which made them think about a more systematic process for registering grievances and redressing them.

The next version of the portal, “Air Seva 3.0”, will be launched in a couple of months. It will allow passengers to register for Digi-Yatra, which offers paperless boarding for domestic passengers.

It will kick off in Bangalore and Hyderabad by February, followed by Varanasi, Kolkata, Pune and Vijayawada some months later. Other airports will soon follow suit.

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