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COLUMN ShrUtidhar PaLiwaL

Giving Wings to the

Common Man’s Dream

ndia’s decision to launch the UDAN (Ude These are young adults who have the
Desh ka Aam Nagrik – ‘Let the average personality, poise, and the desire to get
citizen fly’) will make air travel more a break in the aviation industry but are
Iaccessible and affordable to larger handicapped by the high standard of English
sections of Indian society, with subsidized language skills demanded by the industry.
fares in the region of approximately US$35 This is also a situation that is replicated
(Rs 2,036) between Shimla and New Delhi. with other countries in the region. In India
The initiative is also expected to address the for example, the boom areas of the aviation
aspiration of thousands of young men and industry have typically been the four metros
women who are unable to break-out of the and a few state capitals that also double
vice-like grip of Tier 2 or 3 towns. as tourist gateways. After all, how many for the local population. However, it must
India is now the third-largest domestic new recruits can a single airport absorb? be stressed, that the workforce needs to
aviation market in the world and airlines in The more determined of the bunch might have access to quality training, if they are to
the country are set to order large numbers manage to make it to an airport in one of be absorbed quickly into jobs with airports,
of new airplanes in the coming years. The the major cities, only to spend the next few airlines and ground operators.
growth in traffic would put increased years stuck in the backroom operations A number of new initiatives have also
pressure on airport operators as well as doing baggage-handling or apron-side jobs been undertaken by the Government in
the government to quickly strengthen that have little or no customer interaction. India, which will help Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities
the infrastructure by adding additional The remainder end up opting for careers in to fast track their progress by the new
runways, terminals, increasing ground staff, airport retail. None of these young adults, developments of airports, shopping centres
developing shopping and tourist areas in and even with their perfect physical attributes around the airports, and creating a pool of
around the airports, and other supporting will manage their dream of cabin-crew. All new job opportunities. Airport operations
infrastructure. The availability of trained because of a language barrier. staff, aviation retail staff and even the
personnel is vital for the growth of the In this regard, India’s regional coveted cabin crew jobs provide the ideal
aviation industry in India and indeed in the connectivity scheme, will benefit the aviation employment to today’s aspirational young
entire region and this has created enormous industry as well by close connectivity in adults, to fill fast opening spots.
employment opportunities, but also requires terms of accessibility and reach to the We believe being bi-lingual is soon going
the rapid creation of a skilled workforce, if common man. A substantial number of new to become a necessity for airlines to service
the industry is to continue to grow. airports are also to be built in India’s smaller the UDAN customer in India. And this will
To elaborate, Aptech Aviation is cities and towns and this will not only kick- fulfil several thousands of aspirations. No
frequently challenged to place candidates start the local economy but also become job is going to be too big or too small as
from our centres in the non-metro cities. a source of high-quality and well-paid jobs every position henceforth filled will be one
of a purpose larger than the mere language
barriers. Taking root from the grass root
levels in India, the regional connectivity
scheme is expected to accelerate the
necessary growth for India’s economy and
a growing Indian travelling population, will
also be of interest to other airlines from the
region.

Shrutidhar Paliwal is the VP & Head Corp
Communication at Aptech.
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