Jet Airways might have taken back its retrenched employees but the move has undoubtedly left scars on the aviation industry. Aviation schools across the country are now pursuing a damage-control exercise. They are going all out to assure students that the worst is over.
Take the case of Electrotherm-promoted Ahmedabad Aviation & Aeronautics Ltd (AAA). The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approved institute offers courses in pilot’s training, aviation management, cabin crew and aircraft maintenance engineering. AAA offers flying training at its hanger at S V Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad and Mehsana airfield.
“It is too short a time to react to such issues. Not just aviation but the entire economy is going through a turmoil. But what needs to be seen is that this downturn is just a phase and cyclical. It would rather be wise to wait and watch and not take any hasty decisions. The gloom in the aviation industry is a temporary thing and will get corrected on its own within a year,” opines Shailesh Bhandari, chairman and managing director of the institute.
Dhiraj Agarwal, centre head of Avalon Aviation Academy, corroborates: “The recent move by some airlines was definitely a cause of concern for us. But we believe the worst has passed, and in just six months’ time the turmoil will give way for the industry to pick up. There are international airlines Emirates and Qatar Airways which are doing well even in these times and have shown interest in hiring our students. Even the Indian government would take some steps as it cannot afford to let such a huge industry reel under a bad phase for long. So, unless some huge recession happens, our industry looks like it will grow by some 5-6 per cent in a year’s time and the future of those pursuing a career in aviation is going to be bright again.”
Students, too, remain sanguine. With fees per student ranging between Rs 45,000 and Rs 1,00,000 for a course duration of an average six months to a year, the students are finding themselves in a fix after borrowing money from banks to pursue the vocation. But the depressing scenario has not deterred the students from pursuing the course. Instead they believe there are countless opportunities available in the field.
Ronak Sharma, who is pursuing a diploma in ground staff service, was initially “shocked” but is still hopeful about the future of the industry. “I have already procured an internship with the Mumbai airport next month, when my course gets over. My initial reaction to the news of airways retrenching people was of total disbelief. But after the 1,900 employees of Jet Airways were taken back, I believe that this is just a passing phase. We are hopeful of getting good domestic or international placement once our course comes to an end this November as the academy has promised 100 per cent placement guarantee or 50 per cent money back,” says Sharma.
And if the situation seems bad for the students pursuing various courses in the field of aviation, it should seem worse for those who have already completed their course. Instead, freshers in the industry are still upbeat and feel the scenario will get better in the near future.
“It is not as big a setback for the students as most people think it is. It is an enormous industry which will survive, thanks to the many opportunities in parallel fields like travel, tourism and hospitality. Moreover, we believe the scenario in the aviation industry itself will change for better sooner or later,” says a student who has just finished her course in BTEC (HNC) in aviation, hospitality and travel management from Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training, Mumbai.