Looking to spread your wings in the sky? A look at the aviation industry jobs in India

Jerry knew well what he was speaking about. For those who have taken up aviation industry jobs, be it the ground staff or the cabin crew, the sky is the limit and it is their second home. For, this is where they spend most of their time - high above the clouds.

India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), a trust established by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, published a report on its website about the Indian Aviation Industry. The report says:

As of May 2018, there are nearly 558 commercial aircraft in operation in India.

According to the data released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), FDI inflows in India's air transport sector (including air freight) reached US$ 1,658.23 million between April 2000 and June 2018. India's aviation industry is expected to witness Rs 1 lakh crore (US$ 15.52 billion) worth of investments in the next five years.

With prospects looking so good for the aviation industry, this might just be the right career path for your child. To help you understand various aviation industry jobs, we give you a peek into the career opportunities that exist in this fast-growing industry.

Airport Manager jobs and Safety Officer jobs: First up, are the managerial roles. Yes, they exist in the aviation industry too, and are very lucrative career options. If your child admires how well the ground staff handles situations and is not a big fan of being in the air all the time, she can take up a BBA course in Airport Management. It is a three-year course and is available in various aviation colleges across India. With this degree, your child can become an Airport Manager, Airport Administrator, Airport Staff Manager, or Safety Officer. If your child does not want to join a three-year course, she can also obtain a diploma in the same discipline. However, this needs to be followed by obtaining a postgraduate diploma.

• Eligibility: The candidate should have passed the 10+2 examination in any stream, preferably commerce, with a minimum aggregate score of 60%, to seek admission in the course.
• Salary: The starting salary varies between Rs 3 and 6 lakhs per annum.

Commercial Pilot jobs: It is one of the most honourable and sought-after careers in the aviation industry. Didn't most of us, at some point in our childhood, dream of becoming pilots and flying airplanes? However, when it comes to becoming a commercial pilot, the road to success isn't easy. It requires a lot of hard work. To become a commercial pilot, one has to get a Commercial Pilot License (CPL).

• Eligibility: Before obtaining a CPL, a candidate has to first obtain the Private Pilot License (PPL). Anyone who has passed class 10 examination and is 16 years old can obtain a PPL, which includes a 3 to 4 months course and 40 hours of flying time. To obtain a CPL, a candidate should be at least 18 years old and should have passed the 10+2 examination. This 8-10 months course includes 200 hours of flying training.
• Salary: A commercial pilot draws an average salary between Rs 5 and 12 lakhs per annum. A commercial pilot can become a Flight Instructor after accumulating a work experience of 8-10 years.

Flight Attendant jobs: Where there are pilots and aircrafts, Flight Attendants become a must. They are the ones who ensure the passengers follow all the safety rules, and have a comfortable and enjoyable journey. There are many ways to become a Flight Attendant. Your child can join one of the various programmes available, and choose what is best for her. After three to five years, based on how your child performs on the job, she may get promoted to the post of Flight Purser, where along with the responsibilities, the salary also doubles.

• Eligibility: Besides passing the class 12 examination or having a graduate degree, the candidate should also have a diploma/degree in Hotel Management or Tourism Management, must hold an Indian Passport, must be less than 25 years with proportionate weight and height, must be unmarried, and have normal 6/6 vision in both eyes. Fluency in English is a must, while knowledge of Hindi and an international language is an added advantage.
• Salary: It averages anywhere between Rs 20,000-80,000 per month. Domestic airlines pay anywhere from Rs 20,000-35,000 while international airlines pay more.

Ground Staff jobs: Anyone walking into an airport would first come across the ground staff. There are many role profiles in Ground Staff itself - right from the security personnel who check the passports, to those handling baggage claims. The ground staff ensure that passengers reach the aircraft on time for boarding and help them at every stage.

There are diploma courses which your child can take up to train and become a part of the ground staff crew. The duration of these courses ranges from a few months to one year. The trainees are trained in various processes such as passenger handling, security processes and protocols, and customer service.

• Eligibility: The candidate should have passed the 10+2 examination.
• Salary: The average starting salary ranges between Rs 1 and 3 lakhs per annum.

Airline Ticket Agent jobs: Airline ticket agents are the ones who sit behind the counter and issue tickets. It might sound monotonous, but it is a highly responsible and satisfying job. They check in luggage and assign seats, handle airline ticket sales, reservation changes, and provide information on aircraft boarding. This is one of the most critical jobs in the aviation industry.

• Eligibility: The candidate must have passed the 10+2 examination, be proficient in basic computer skills, and have experience in customer service. Most airline ticketing courses require the candidate to be at least 18 years old.
• Salary: It ranges between Rs 1 and 3 lakhs per annum.

Aeronautical Engineer jobs: Aeronautical engineers are the ones who design, manufacture and maintain the aircraft. This requires a long course of four years, but is totally worth it. After graduating from college, an aeronautical engineer has quite a few options to choose from, like joining as a Chief Engineer, or Research and Development Engineer, or Design Engineer.

• Eligibility: The candidate should have a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
• Salary: The average starting salary is between Rs 3 and 5 lakhs per annum.

Air Traffic Controller (ATC) jobs: According to sources in the industry, there is a dearth of ATCs in India. With new airports also coming up, there will be even more demand for them. Those desirous of becoming ATCs need to do a three-year course in B Sc Aviation. While doing this course, candidates learn about Air Regulations, Navigation, Meteorology, Aircraft and Engine, Air Traffic Control, Aviation Security, Flight Safety and Crew Management.

• Eligibility: The candidates should have passed 10+2 examination with 50% marks, and with English, Physics and Maths as main subjects. The candidates are selected for the course based on how they fare in the entrance test and interview, in addition to the marks scored in the board exams.
• Salary: The average salary is between Rs 2 and 4 lakhs per annum.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) jobs: No flight can take off without being given a go-ahead by the aircraft maintenance engineer. He ensures that the aircraft is in perfect condition before take-off. The maintenance engineer's job responsibilities cover maintenance, repair, troubleshooting and overhaul of the aircraft, in addition to performing inspection and executing modifications.

• Eligibility: The candidate should have passed 10+2 examination with 50% marks in aggregate in Maths, Chemistry and Physics, or a three-year Diploma in engineering, or a pass in B Sc with Maths, Chemistry and Physics as subjects. The candidates are required to produce a fitness certificate. While seeking admission to AME courses, candidates must check to see if the institute/college has been authorized by the Director General of Civil Aviation to impart the training.
• Salary: The starting salary of an AME can range between Rs 2 and 4 lakhs per annum.

Although life could be a bit hectic in the aviation industry, the results are rewarding and that is probably why a career in this sector should be explored. As they say, 'The Sky is the Limit' in this profession.

Attention Aspiring Pilots: Explore the Steps to Become a Pilot in India and Fulfill Your Aviation Dreams!