The civil aviation industry in India has emerged as one of the fastest growing industries in the country during the last three years. India is currently considered the third largest domestic civil aviation market in the world. It is expected to overtake UK to become the third largest air passenger market by 2024 according to a report by IATA.
This points to considerable growth in the industry. In turn, careers within the aviation industry in India is set to boom and be rewarding. The industry is already grappling with shortages in talent in most areas such as pilots and technical staff.
India is ramping up airport infrastructure throughout the country expanding capacity and providing access to people for air travel. To cater to the rapidly growing demand, airline operators have been expanding their capacity. New airlines, domestic and international are growing within the country in terms of flight numbers.
A report from staffing firm TeamLease suggests that the aviation sector in India was short of 500 pilots in 2019 against the 1,300 the airlines had on the roster. During the same year, there was a dearth of cabin crew as well—1,350 short of the optimum 4,900. To handle duties on the ground, there were only 9,200 personnel, compared with the requirement of 15,800. The current projections for 2020 point to higher demand for aviation jobs than supply. Last year, the Chief Executive of Chimes Aviation Academy, which trains pilots, Y.N. Sharma said the industry needs 900 pilots every year and around 250 pilots are trained in India every year. Another institute, Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training has been steadily increasing their student intake every year. They train over 10,000 students each year.
In the last two months alone, Indigo partnered with Chimes Aviation Academy for its flagship cadet pilot programme, Spicejet launched their cadet pilot training program, India made commercial pilot licences faster and easier to beat the shortage in airlines’ most-expensive asset – pilots. As Indian airlines start to receive their aircrafts and government launches new airports to improve connectivity, the hiring outlook for aviation in India is looking bright for the next five years.
India’s aviation industry is largely untapped with huge growth opportunities, considering that air transport is still expensive for majority of the country’s population, of which nearly 40 per cent is the upwardly mobile middle class. As accessibility increases in Tier I and Tier II cities, the industry is in for a change.
Rolled out in 2016, UDAN – RCS, a regional connectivity scheme has led to affordable air connectivity from several previously under-served or un-served airports. As on 7 December 2019, 44 airports were started under this scheme. By 20 January 2020, 248 routes were commenced under RCS routes.
Career opportunities exist in a wide variety of areas such as Airport Management, Aviation Hospitality, Ground staff, Cabin Crew, Pilots, Aircraft maintenance, Airfare and Ticket management, Aerospace Engineering, Avionics engineering, Aviation doctors, Aviation psychologists, Customer support, Logistics Management, Air Traffic control, Management and support functions, Training, Facility management etc.,
As of December, 2,301 pilots were recruited via recruitment exams held by scheduled airlines. In comparison, 1,221 and 1,696 pilots recruited in 2017 and 2018 respectively. With 1,088 pilots hired in 2019, IndiGo remained at the top of recruitment which was 148 per cent higher than in 2017. SpiceJet hired 398 pilots compared to 143 pilots in 2017. Air Asia hired 246 pilots in 2019 which is 173 per cent higher than in 2017. Vistara too hired 224 pilots in 2019 which is 194 per cent higher than that of 2017.
It is known that a growing shortage of pilots represents one of the biggest challenges facing the airline industry. In 2019 June, Boeing CEO, Dennis Muilenburg mentioned that Boeing estimated the number of new commercial airplanes would rise to 44,000, up from 43,000, over the next twenty years.
Demand for air travel is growing so rapidly that 800,000 new pilots are expected to be needed over the next two decades.
The biggest need is in the Asia-Pacific region, where an improving economy has resulted in more people booking flights.
Today, in Asia, pilots from the U.S., Europe and Africa are employed to overcome the shortage of pilots in the region. As pilot training costs come down, demand for pilots well publicised and economies of households in this region improve, there is an immense opportunity for pilots.
Within Asia, China and India are providing most of the growth in aviation as the number of passengers increase.
New programs in pilot training will be created due to this, possibly including financial support.
As pilot labor supply remains constrained, airlines are increasingly seeking to recruit, develop, and train locally sourced pilots. Cadet programs that train aspiring pilots to be a qualified, competent, and operationally-ready first officer have increased in popularity as airlines look to fill future pilot pipelines. Airlines are also recognizing the significant cost burden for students, and bond programs have gained traction as another avenue for interested candidates.
Over the next 20 years, the Asia Pacific region will lead the worldwide growth in demand for pilots, with a requirement for 266,000 new pilots. North America will require 212,000, Europe 148,000, the Middle East 68,000, Latin America 54,000, Africa 29,000 and Russia / Central Asia 27,000.
As new generation airplanes become more prominent in the global fleet, advances in airplane technology will drive demand for a new set of skills, such as digital troubleshooting and composites repair. Concurrently, operators and MROs will be challenged to ensure technicians continue to maintain the skills and capability necessary to service the large fleet of older generation aircraft. These two skill sets often differ, creating opportunities for the industry to enhance its standard training curriculum
The need for maintenance personnel is largest in the Asia Pacific region, which will require 266,000 new technicians. Airlines in North America will require 193,000, Europe 137,000, the Middle East 69,000, Latin America 52,000, Africa 27,000, and Russia / Central Asia 25,000. It is estimated that India alone will need over 1,00,000 technicians in the next 5 years.
Cabin crew are essential to ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers and can provide a level of service that enables brand differentiation. As airlines continue to refine business models and personalize offerings to specific market segments, additional demand for cabin crew will result from aircraft up-gauging, denser seat configurations, and multiple cabin configurations. Regulatory requirements and customer preferences will continue to drive demand across the industry.
Training continues to focus on providing superior customer service and ensuring cabin crew have the skills to recognize and mitigate safety risks. Advances in scenario-based training and mobile learning technologies support continuous learning and prepare cabin crew for situations that may occur in the cabin.
Over the next 20 years, the largest projected growth in cabin crew demand is in the Asia Pacific region, with a requirement for 327,000 new cabin crew. Europe will require 194,000, North America 176,000, Middle East 104,000, Latin America 53,000, Russia / Central Asia 30,000, and Africa 30,000..
Boeing estimates that new airplane deliveries between 2019 and 2032 would be 44,040. 40% of this demand will come from Asia Pacific region with most of them in India and China.
About 42 % of the market value in aviation during that period will originate in Asia Pacific region with India and China accounting for over 50% of it.
Aeronautical engineer
Aeronautical engineering focuses on the construction and design of aircraft. A successful Aeronautical engineer grasps the principles of physics and flight.
Aeronautical engineers are mainly involved with designing aircraft and their propulsion systems, as well as studying the aerodynamic performance of aircraft and construction materials.
An aeronautical engineer’s career involves creating detailed diagrams and conducting simulated tests to ensure everything runs as efficiently as possible. An aeronautical engineer’s career may involve supervising the workers who build prototypes to make certain they meet the manufacturer’s or government’s precise specifications. Many industries rely on aeronautical engineering skills. Aeronautical engineers may also be involved with the science and technology of spacecraft, including how spacecraft perform inside the earth’s atmosphere. Aeronautical engineers typically specialize in a certain type of aircraft, such as private planes, helicopters, or commercial jets. Most specialize in one of the many electrical or mechanical systems that comprise aircraft, such as the propulsion system, engines, robotics, instrumentation and
communication, or navigation boards.
Air Traffic Controller
If working for aviation safety and security sounds like an exciting and challenging opportunity, then an air traffic controller career may be in your future.
Air traffic controllers authorize, control and monitor the flow of aviation traffic according to federal and company safety policies and procedures.
Air traffic controller careers include organizing and coordinating the arrival and landing of airplanes. Air traffic controller careers involve relaying instructions to pilots, directing the movement of aircrafts using specialized radar and computer equipment to maximize safety and informing and authorizing pilots of flight path changes and/or emergencies.An air traffic controller career involves relaying important information such as weather reports or visibility issues and monitoring ground traffic including baggage vehicles and workers.
Aircraft mechanics / technician
if you are excited about fixing an aircraft and making sure it is safe for flight, this would interest you. Aircraft mechanics keep airplanes and helicopters running properly and safely, performing regular scheduled maintenance and checks.
They examine a plane’s frame and parts for defects, determine if any parts are becoming worn out, and determine any mechanical or electrical problems. Aircraft mechanics repair everything from wings to breaks to electrical systems. Aviation mechanic careers include replacing small parts with hand tools and test gauges and diagnostic equipment.
Aircraft mechanics may either work on a variety of aircrafts or specialize in one part of a specific type of aircraft, such as the engine, hydraulics, or electrical system. An aircraft technician career involves interpreting flight data, searching for possible malfunctions or performance problems.They may also be assembling components, installing instruments, and repairing any malfunctioning instruments.
Airline and Commercial Pilots
Airline and commercial pilots fly airplanes or helicopters that carry people, packages and other cargo. Commercial pilots also fly aircrafts to conduct rescue and firefighting missions as well as charter unique flights such as aerial photography.
Airline pilot careers may include reviewing safety measures and procedures including checking preflight hydraulics, engine parts and other flight systems, monitoring fuel, schedules and weather. Airline pilot careers involve listening for proper takeoff and landing instructions from air traffic controllers, checking aircraft weight distribution from loaded cargo and monitoring warning devices, cockpit instrumentation, engines and fuel levels during flight. Airline pilots also work with other crew members to maintain smooth takeoffs and landings.
Flight Attendants
It takes a strong personality, an ability to handle difficult (sometimes dangerous) situations quickly and calmly to pursue a flight attendant career.
Flight attendants offer personal services to ensure that airline passengers are secure, safe and comfortable. Flight attendant careers typically include verifying all safety equipment including oxygen bottles and fire extinguishers are working, discussing preflight briefing and issues, and ensuring an airplane has the required food and drink supplies on board.
Flight attendant careers also involve showing passengers how to use emergency equipment and making sure they fasten their seatbelts. A flight attendant career involves offering refreshments and meals, taking care of passengers during flight, assisting those with special needs and directing and assisting passengers in cases of emergency.
In India many educational / training institutes offer training, diplomas and graduation, post graduation programs in the following:
Ground Staff and Cabin Crew Training Airport Management
Aviation Hospitality
Air Hostess Training
Tourism Management
Ticketing Management
Travel Management
Commercial Pilot Training Aeronautical Engineering Avionics Engineering
Aviation Engineering
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
Some of the institutes in India that offer certificate, diploma, graduate and post graduate programs in aviation
Indian Institute of Aeronautics, New Delhi
Indian Institute for Aeronautical Engineering and information – Pune Indian Institute of Aeronautics Science – Jamshedpur
A.J.Aviation Academy – Bengaluru
Indian Aviation Academy – Mumbai
Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy – Hyderabad
Hindustan Aviation Academy – Bengaluru
Ahmedabad Aviation and Aeronautics – Ahmedabad
Wings college of aviation technology – Pune
Some of the institutes in India that offer Pilot Training
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy, Rae Bareilli
CAE Oxford, Gondia, Madhya Pradesh
Chimes Aviation academy, Dhana, Sagar, Madhyapradesh Carver Aviation Academy, Baramati, Maharashtra
GATI- Govt. Aviation training Institute, Bhuvaneswar, Orissa Orient Flight School, Pondicherry (Puducherry)
Ahmedabad Aviation & Aeronautics-AAA-Ahmedabad
Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy, Hyderabad
Telangana State Aviation Academy, Hyderabad Flytech Aviation Academy, Hyderabad
Apart from these, are many reputable colleges and universities in India that offer BE and ME courses in Aviation, Aeronautics, Avionics and Aerospace.
