Private airline’s adieu to Indian skies

Aviation industry is touted to be next big sector making its way in market and opening doors for numerous employment opportunities. Forecasting the future potential of this sector, education institutions have already started their bit by training and grooming potential work force for them. But my question is will India be use this opportunity to the fullest?

Reason number of private airlines flying on Indian skies is on declining spree. The ones currently flying are uncertain about their future prospects. Most private airlines have faced  issues in past, few were able to sail through and be back in operation like Spicejet but few left the place like Air Sahara, Kingfisher and the fate of Jet airways will be out in some time.

Air Sahara was launched by Sahara India Pariwar with much pomp and show and was doing good till it embroiled into financial issue and curtains were drawn to this airlines. And Jet Airways came to the rescue of Air Sahara and bought the airline from Sahara group. Air Sahara was then renamed as JetLite by Jet Airways. JetLite joined as a low cost subsidiary of Jet Airways.

Then came Kingfisher airlines, luxury airline of Indian skies launched by Vijay Mallaya. Kingfisher Airlines was like the Virgin Atlantic Airlines in Indian skies. It changed the look and feel of aviation industry since its launch. Kingfisher airlines gave its flier premium class experience during their flight. That was something which was missing in Indian skies for long. Kingfisher Airlines bought Air Deccan the low cost carrier of Indian skies, which boosted up its business further. But Kingfisher airlines too got embroiled into financial crisis and the airlines shut down its operations. Vijay Mallaya left the country, now government is trying to extradite him to India to recover the dues he owes to Indian banks.

Latest to join the brigade of Sahara Airlines and Kingfisher Airlines is Jet Airways. An airline launched by Naresh Goyal in collaboration with other to conquer Indian skies.  Naresh Goyal and his family have major stake in the airline. Jet Airways catered to Indian skies for over a decade before its ceased it operation temporarily from 17^th April’19. There’s no clarity whether this closure is temporary or permanent.

Having gone through the journey of these airlines which ones ruled Indian skies, one thing is common in their exit journey and that is financial crisis. None of them were able to overcome their debt which ultimately forced them to adieu the market.

If financial crisis is one the major reasons for the airlines to stop their operation in Indian skies, I think its high time that government should come with some concrete measures to ensure the longevity of private airlines in Indian skies. An in-depth analysis should be done to ascertain the factors that led to accumulations of debts for these airlines during their operations.

A limit should be set by the government to inform airlines when they are about the deep dive into unrecoverable debts. Airlines should abide by it, this will beneficial for both the parties. Airlines can reduce their debt liability and timely intervention by government can enable the airlines to retrospect on their strategies and come out with remedial measures.

When airlines cease their operations, most effected are their employees who are suddenly rendered jobless with the burden of liabilities on their shoulder. Reason, speculation of airlines closing operation will be there in news but employees never get a clear picture about the actual scenario. They come to know about it at the 11^th hour. Then employees aren’t left with much option in hand.

Employees are the actual sufferers of airlines closure as their salaries are due from their employers and after closure of operation, employees never get their dues cleared. When kingfisher airlines closed, salary dues forced some of Kingfishers airline employees to commit suicide. Government should pay special attention to this issue, when an airline is about to cease its operation on Indian skies.

Airlines quitting Indian skies will hamper the growth of aviation industry in the long run and will even discourage private player to venture in the industry which can help foster the growth of Indian economy. Hence its high time government to look into the issues faced by private airlines while operating in Indian skies and come with measure which can benefit both in long run. And no other private airline should adieu Indian skies again.