NEW
DELHI, JULY 24 : THE Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India
(ASSOCHAM) has recommended to the Ministry of Civil Aviation to refrain from rostering
of pilots beyond normal Flying Duty Time Line (FDTL) and especially during sunrise
and sunset to avoid recurrence of air accidents.
In
addition, the Chamber has also suggested that state-created training infrastructure
and facilities for pilots should be permitted to be pooled in with other operators
in the private domain irrespective of their size. This has become necessary as
training facilities for pilots exist with a few bigger airlines and are denied
to their counterparts. As a result, the pilots are requisitioned and hired at
exorbitantly higher commercial considerations from overseas airlines to bridge
the demand-supply gap for air-traffic movement. However, this suggestion should
be executed purely on commercial considerations.
In
a statement ASSOCHAM Secretary General, Mr. D.S. Rawat pointed out that majority
of air accidents occur due to human error and the ideal way out to avert possible
and unforeseen air traffic casualties could be brought to an end on roistering
of pilots beyond sunset and sunrise so as to help them shed away their fatigue
and take on their subsequent assignments afresh to ensure safety and efficiency
as well as smooth air-traffic movement, besides, take off and landing.
Mr. Rawat pointed out that of late the issue of pilot fatigue on account of
their sudden and unexpected rostering beyond FDTL and sunset & sunrise has
brought national carrier unprecedented criticism and even caused it hurt and embarrassment
and thereby, putting its credibility in the dumps.
This
according to ASSOCHAM needs to be urgently reviewed to send positive signals to
air-traffic takers so as to assure them of their safety and smooth flight movement,
said Mr. Rawat. The Chamber has also raised the issue of inquiries that go
into finding causes for air accidents saying that such inquiries should be conducted
in a fair, transparent and impartial manner by an independent agency, outside
administrative control of Civil Aviation Ministry.
The
Chamber holds the view that just in case of railway accident and incidents, an
independent enquiry is supervised and maintained by Railways Safety Commission
which doesn’t fall under jurisdiction of Railway Ministry but is within the
administrative management of Ministry of Civil Aviation. This ensures fair and
independent enquiry.
Similarly,
in case of air casualties, causes for such mishaps are enquired by Director General
of Civil Aviation which in view of ASSOCHAM invites wide-spread criticism for
the regulator. Air-traffic casualties should therefore be investigated on lines
of Railway Safety Commission, so that allegations of partial investigations are
set side or else put on rest.
The
Chamber has also brought to the fore that whenever air casualties happen, effective
and proper co-ordination is always missing amongst 5 key stakeholders, namely
DGCA operators, Air Traffic Controller, Air Force or Coast Guards, besides, public
and district administration for launching timely and safe rescue relief. National
Disaster Authority having its resources spread all over the country can be roped
in to render valuable support.
In
the absence of, proper co-ordination the relief measures are delayed as agencies
like search and rescue teams, medical/ambulance at site and police protection
etc. do not immediately swing into action for want of instructions. This subjects
the national carrier to utter criticism and public out-cry, putting a question
mark to its credibility.
The
Chamber has therefore, demanded that immediate steps should be taken to ensure
proper and timely co-ordination amongst aforesaid 5 agencies so that necessary
action is taken for rewarding immediate relief and rescue measures to safeguard
human lives and national carrier’s property as operators at such crucial
junctures are helpless and do not have requisite infrastructure to move and extend
rescue operations. (editor@thesynergyonline.com)
NEW
DELHI, JUNE 10 : UKRAINIAN aviation universities including National Aviation
University, Kyiv; National Aerospace University, Kharkiv; and State Flight Academy
of Ukraine, Kirovograd have earned repute for themselves over the years and are
domain leaders in the whole of Europe and Asia. These universities are famous
for preparing outstanding pilots, aviation and space engineers.
As
of today, students from almost 50 countries study aviation in Ukraine. Major universities
partner with international authorities, such as International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO), International Aviation Committee (IAC), Directorate General of Civil Aviation
(DGCA).
International
exchange programs conducted by aviation universities allow students and academicians
participate in workshops and internships in Spain, Britain, Germany, Netherlands,
France, South Korea and other countries.
Ukrainian
aviation universities are also famous for the discoveries and inventions, done
by their academicians and graduates. For example the first satellite in the world
was launched and designed by a graduate of Kiev Polytechnic Institute in 1957,
Sergey Korolyev. He also designed a space ship to send first man to space.
Ukrainian
engineers have designed and constructed world's biggest planes - Antonov planes.
Ukrainian scientists were first who have calculated the optimal trajectory for
reaching the Moon, which was later used by the Americans in their APOLLO Moon
program. Those are just few examples.
Over
the years, Ukraine, owing to its world-class education system, infrastructure
and universities has emerged as one amidst top 10 countries that attract maximum
number of international students.
Ukrainian
State Centre of International Education under the aegis of Ministry of Education
and Science, Government of Ukraine - the authority which regulates and coordinates
enrolment of international students into higher educational institutions has now
appointed Proactive Group, an active member of International Chamber of Commerce
and respected partner of 30 leading Ukrainian universities with offices in Kyiv
and New Delhi managed and run by Ukrainian nationals, as their official and licensed
educational consultancy to assist Indian students.
The number of Indian
students studying in Ukraine today stands at 3000 however this number is poised
to grow significantly in the days to come. As of now, Indian students opting for
education programs in Ukraine were assisted by independent agents who offered
limited service like document preparation only.
Buoyed by the huge potential that the Indian students have come to represent,
the Government of Ukraine issued an initiative to appoint an officially licensed
and authorized consultancy, the Proactive Group, which shall assist Indian students
willing to study in Ukraine on a turnkey basis.
Exhaustive
services offered by Proactive Group to Indian students include consultation in
choosing the right education program and university, place to live etc.; preparation
and filing of required documents; negotiation on behalf of students with universities,
embassies, ministries and other official authorities; training and orientation
for students and parents on aspects like legal issues, European lifestyle etc.;
visa and travel support; reception at the airport in Ukraine; assistance with
required registrations; social and legal support; employment in Ukraine; and support
to parents intending to visit their child in Ukraine.
Ukraine is a part
of the Bologna process (European Higher Education Area) which stands for uniform
academic degree standards and quality assurance standards with 46 participating
countries. Therefore, Ukrainian degrees are recognized globally (even by UNESCO,
European Association of Universities and European Union) and accepted as equal
with degrees of other participating countries.
Indian
students can choose English as their medium of instruction. The process for admission
is very simple and entails only an interview, no entrance exam is required. Besides,
there are hundreds of student exchange programs available as well which allow
them to opt for any European university while completing their education.
Besides,
Ukrainian universities often invite professors from Canada, USA and Great Britain
to deliver lectures, thus giving students a chance to gain knowledge from both
local and foreign specialists
Tuition fee starts from Rs 15,000 per month
for studying aviation. This is highly affordable in comparison to tuition fee
for similar courses in other international study destinations, especially Western
Europe. Even the cost of living is highly reasonable and ranges between Rs 4,400
to Rs 17,600 per month (meal at fast food restaurant - Rs 132, vegetables and
fruits - Rs 88 per kg) depending on the city sans any compromise on social life
which is at par with any metropolitan in the world.
"Supported by
the Ukrainian government, Proactive Group guarantees transparent process of enrolling
into the university and clear fee policy. Every Ukrainian university has limited
number of seats for international students however, as Proactive Group works closely
in association with Ukrainian State Centre of International Education, there is
always a greater possibility that the student gets accepted if he/she comes through
us," says Mr. Yuri Gorokhovskyi, Chief Executive Officer, Proactive Group.
Its
being the officially licensed and authorized educational consultancy in India
for Ukrainian education, even the universities and government departments in Ukraine
are more eager to work with Proactive Group as compared to individuals and other
agencies. Proactive Group has expert consultants for each of the streams - medicine,
aviation, engineering, hospitality etc., who are aware of all possible aspects
of their respective domains and are personally acquainted with the deans of Universities.
(editor@thesynergyonline.com)
NEW
DELHI, JULY 14
: IN a major decision, undertaken by the two of the premier travel agent bodies
TAAI and TAFI today announced that all agents will now sell “away” from
the international airlines and promote the Indian carriers. This decision comes
in the wake of offering support to the crisis hit Indian carrier – Air India
as well as to intensify the battle against the “zero commission” regime.
Travel
agents will promote the Indian carriers with customers who wish to fly abroad.
Agents will continue
their stir against Singapore Airlines (SIA) and not sell SIA tickets. While tickets
of other international airlines will be available for sale with the travel agents,
they would however promote offers from Indian carriers only.
While
Indian carriers would benefit with the support of these associations, this would
have a major indirect
impact on the ticket sales of International airlines, who are already reeling
under the impact of the global meltdown. The impact of the direct withdrawal of
support (ban on ticket sales) on SIA had far reaching effect on the airline –
coupled with the impact of the global meltdown SIA has registered a 72.5 % fall
in its ticket sales in 2009, compared to the first two quarters of 2008.
Thai
Airlines has fortuitously benefited from the situation and they are now the leading
carriers from India for flights bound to South East Asia and Australia . Also,
Cathay Airlines now lead in ticket sales to the US especially sectors to SFO and
LA as Singapore Airlines sees its revenues on this route whittling down to a measly
2 per cent vis-à-vis 2008.
“It is downright
unacceptable that some foreign carriers have gone to Zero commission with an intention
to cut their vital arm of distribution and not to remunerate agents their rightful
commissions and have entered our country with the sole purpose of generating maximum
profits, which they repatriate back to their own countries. We are not willing
to tolerate this unjust approach, we prefer instead to do business with Indian
carriers now and support them in their crunch time at this critical juncture.
I am requesting each member of TAAI and other associations to promote our National
Carriers and extend maximum support to them for their revival, as during zero
crises these very carriers stood by us for our survival” says Rajji Rai,
President, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI).
In
a reciprocal gesture, the travel agents have been rooting for a bailout package
for airlines, particularly Air India , hit by the global economic downturn.
“It
is also our duty to extend all support and give maximum possible assistance to
AIR INDIA in order to improve their profits and bottom-line” added Mr. Rai.
In a reciprocal gesture, the travel agents have supported the request for a bailout
package for airlines, particularly Air India , hit by the global economic downturn.
“Discussions
are on with senior officials of the national carriers and the CMD of Air India
has been most pro-active in his approach and has expressed his willingness to
consider any constructive proposal from the Travel agents which would help Air
India,” informs Pradip Lulla, President, Travel Agents Federation of India
(TAFI).
Both
Associations have also taken the matter up with the Directorate-General of Civil
Aviation (DGCA), which in turn has issued an ultimatum to SIA and other airlines
which have abolished commission to explain the rationale behind their actions.
“It
is heartening to note that the DGCA has taken cognizance of the matter and has
directed the foreign airlines to adhere to the law of the land. We are not asking
for a bailout, merely a protection of our basic right to livelihood,” states
Ajay Prakash, National General Secretary of TAFI. (editor@thesynergyonline.com)
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