The Hindu Business Line : Intl airlines offer not just seats, but more jobs too

International airlines, including those that have recently started operations to India and others waiting in the wings, are looking at creating more job opportunities. Some of them are looking at taking on professionals to manage offices in cities and at airports and also at recruiting others to look after the needs of passengers in the air.

Industry analysts feel that the number of jobs likely to be available will depend on a variety of factors. Among others, it will depend on whether the airline is a well-established player in the Indian market and whether the flight is being launched to a new destination.

For example, if a new airline is to start operations to a city in India, it will have to set up its infrastructure starting from scratch and, therefore, the job opportunities are likely to be more.

Though a cross-section of international airlines are not yet ready to commit to the number of openings or posts that are going to be available, the hectic activity in the sector over the last month does provide an indication of things to come.

During this period, Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi-based national airline of the United Arab Emirates, started operating seven times a week to Mumbai. An agreement between India and the UK to see direct flights between the two nations being doubled from the present 19 to 40 in a phased manner ending in the 2005 winter schedule of the airlines was also reached. Other airlines that have increased their flights or plan to do so include Singapore Airlines and SriLankan.

So, besides getting the passports ready, it may well be time to get your resumes brushed up too, before you decide to make a trip to the airline office of your choice.