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: use getting into little details. We give the basic grooming, the things that you might need to know to get through the interview. The other things you will obviously learn on the job.”

The academy also trains pilots, another job pretty much in demand.

A worrying factor however, says captain Bhatia, is the quality of people coming out of training academies. “There was a time when people flew only for the love of it. Today, glamour plays an important role. Money is another lucrative factor.” Walia adds,“If a call centre job gives you Rs 10,000 to begin with, a domestic airlines will give you Rs 25,000 as starting salary. It’s a lucrative job for sure.”

Aditi Srivastava, CEO, Flying Cat, echoes the same feeling. “Today the aspira- tion values are high. Everybody wants to make it big. The aviation sector is booming and there is a constant demand for trained staff. It’s a field that gives you exposure and pays you well. It’s a constant cycle of demand and supply that is running this rapidly growing industry. What is however worrying is that Indians are still not at par with other countries when it comes to air travel.”

Air Travels between India & World, a paper released by Assocham, adds that India is one of the least penetrated markets for air travel as it is among the most expenive in the world whose air penetration levels are even lower than that of its neighbours Sri Lanka, Pakistan and countries with poorer GDP such as Ethiopia and Nigeria.

The study highlights that 40% of passenger traffic is concentrated at main airports of Delhi and Mumbai. The top five airports in India account for over 70% of traffic and the top 25 almost 95% of the air traffic in India.

The study highlights that 40% of passenger traffic in India is concentrated in the two main airports of Delhi and Mumbai. The top five airports in India account for over 70% of traffic and the top 25 almost 95% of the air traffic in India. Along with the fact that these airports have limited tunnel facilities, outdated infrastructure, inadequate ground handling system and poor passenger amenities increases the traffic congestion in airports.