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4,300 more jobs as AI, IA plan to expand
(The Times of India Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) NEW DELHI: The aviation job market in India is all set to boom. Even as new kids on the block vroom impatiently on the sidelines, aviation behemoths AI and IA are all set to rock the skies with 111 mint-fresh planes and an additional 4,300 jobs in key categories such as pilots, engineers and cabin crew over the next few years. Both airlines have made detailed plans in this regard.
In fact, a look at just the growth of these two airlines which, till now, were struggling to stay ahead of the wannabes with leased and old planes, gives an indication of what India, among the fastest aviation markets, is poised for.
Boeing forecasts say India will require close to 500 new aircraft over the next 20 years with a total value of around $36 billion.
Yes, infrastructure glitches will continue for some time, but the customer will continue to be king.
AI placed one of the largest commercial airplane order in India's civil aviation history with 68 Boeings (50 for Air India and 18 for Air India Express) in December 2005, valued at over $11 billion. Delivery of this assorted mix of 23 777s, 27 787s and 18 737s is scheduled to begin in November 2006.
"Air India alone, over the next seven years, will require 700 additional pilots. Total cabin crew numbers till 2012 will stand at 4,974 for 58 AI planes," says an AI spokesman.
"To meet the shortage of pilots, Air India has adopted the following strategy: induction of trainee pilots from the open market and Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udaan Academy, Rae Bareli; recruitment of foreign pilots and co-pilots on contract, recruitment of science and engineering graduates who will be trained for commercial pilot licences;
extension of contract for retired Air India pilots till 65 years and induction of Indian Air Force pilots on deputation," he says.
At Indian Airlines too, many jobs will be up for grabs. It had inked a deal to buy 43 Airbuses for $2.2 billion and will get its new fleet of 19 A319s, four A320s and 20 A321s on a staggered basis.
"Recruitment of additional work force has been worked out, keeping in mind aircraft delivery schedules and has been going on for almost a year," says a spokesman.
"The total plane strength in the next four years will be under 100." Old and leased planes will be phased out.
"The airline may also need to recruit flight dispatchers, ground handling and passenger handling staff, though this would largely depend on policies regarding airport handling and the impending merger of IA and AI," the spokesman says.
In the intervening period, to ensure greater productivity, IA signed an agreement with its pilot's union to increase flight and duty timings and number of landings.
Rest period was also decreased, keeping DGCA norms in mind. "Retiring pilots will also be kept on contract till
65 years. Indian Airlines has also approached the government for similar contracts for AMEs and flight dispatchers," he says.
With the induction of the new fleet, IA also expects to increase its present market share of 22%. The skies are truly opening up for high-flying jobseekers.
Copyright 2006 The Times of India. Bennett, Coleman & Co Ltd. Source : Financial Times Information Limited
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