Four Corners
Our high-flying columnists from the four corners of the globe bring us: a sobering analysis from Japan, a positive projection for India, people power in the US and kitchens make a comeback in Australia
JAPAN Great Tohoku Earthquake Tim Zandbergen
manager sales and marketing TFK Corporation
“The overall cost is expected to exceed $300 billion and hit
Japan when it was already in decline”
INDIA India in the lead by 2020 Zafar Siamwala
chief operating officer Oberoi Flight Services
Doha, India and Mauritius
“India creates opportunity for
Indian Airports to become potential International hubs”
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www.onboardhospitality.com
India is expected to be the fastest growing civil aviation market in the world by 2020 with approximately 420 million passengers handled within Indian airports. The number of passengers carried by the domestic airlines during January–February 2011 was 9.51 million as against 7.95 million in the corresponding period in 2010, thereby registering a growth of 19.6 per cent, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Domestic airlines registered
a growth of almost 16 per cent year-on-year, carrying a record 5.2 million passengers in December 2010 as against 4.5 million passengers in December 2009.
In terms of market share, private carrier Kingfisher Airlines was the market leader with 19 % share, followed by Indigo with 18.7%, Jet Airways with 18%, Air India with 15.8%, Spice jet with 13.8%, Jet Lite with 8.1% and Go Air with 6.6%. The Indian aviation sector will grow by 18-20% this year, according to industry experts. National carrier Air India and low- cost airlines Indi Go and Spice Jet will add more aircraft in 2011. International traffic to and
from India in 2010-11 saw strong and steady growth of just more than
10%.This surely could have been higher had there not been a freeze on the granting of additional bilateral rights with key
markets. The freeze was the result of Indian carriers concerned about the access provided to foreign carriers especially from the Gulf. Indian carriers, still weakened
by the downturn in 2008-09 and restrictions on overseas services are operating relatively limited International networks. As a result they have not exhausted their seat entitlements with any key markets and are in no rush for access to be further liberalised for foreign carriers seeking to increase services or aircraft capacity to India. Indian carriers must demonstrate and prepare to become globally competitive in a manner that can allow India to develop as an International hub.
It is strange how life can change from one day to the next. Friday March 11th seemed like just another day with people anticipating enjoying the weekend when just before 15:00 an earthquake hit Japan with such a force one couldn’t stand up (it was reported that the earthquake moved Honshu 2.4 m (8 ft) east and shifted the Earth on its axis by 10 cm (4in.) This triggered extremely destructive tsunami waves that reached almost 40 metres in height and travelled as far as 10km inland in some places leaving an unprecedented trail of destruction. In addition to the sudden massive loss of life and trail of destruction, the earthquake
and tsunami caused a number of nuclear accidents with the most serious being at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. Japan subsequently experienced
over 900 aftershocks since the original earthquake with about 60 being over 6.0 M and three over 7.0 M. A 7.7 M and a 7.9 M quake occurred on March 11. Now Japan is faced with its biggest crisis since the end of World War II and its economy is in a “severe condition” with no quick recovery foreseen. The overall cost is expected to
exceed $300 billion and hit Japan when it was already in decline. The ongoing crisis has also taken a severe toll on the aviation industry including all caterers and suppliers,
Sendai airport itself completely engulfed in a large tsunami wave. Many airlines temporarily ceased operations to Japan or greatly reduced schedules and downsized aircraft. Passengers to Japan dropped off significantly for fear of aftershocks, structural damage, and nuclear radiation, while passengers from Japan refrained from unnecessary travel abroad in consideration of victims and the continuing suffering of survivors. On the positive side, foreign countries, organisations, and individuals were very quick to respond with rescue teams, volunteers, and the Japanese Red Cross is reported to have received over $1 billion in donations to date.
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