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 17th 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 11th
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.
