Four Corners
Our high-flying columnists from the four corners of the globe discuss the rapid growth in airline passenger numbers across the world and ways we can improve the airport and onboard service
EUROPE On the move Tina Andreasson
Castello Monte Vibiano Food & Services, Italy
“I sometimes feel that I spend more
time at airports than at home!”
INDIA Expanding the airport network
Aviation is one of the major economic drivers for prosperity, development and employment and in order to enhance air travel penetration, India needs more airports, more aircraft and a better infrastructure.
Zafar Siamwala
chief operating officer Oberoi Flight Services
Doha, India and Mauritius
“Aviation is one of the major economic
drivers for prosperity, development and employment”
50
www.onboardhospitality.com
Only five per cent of the Indian population is currently flying compared with developed countries where penetration is vastly higher. Some of the key developments during the last decade that have helped the growth of Indian aviation are: - Domestic open-skies policy, allowing several new carriers to enter the market - Arrival of LCCs in India - Airport modernisation
- Liberalisation of international sectors with private players permitted to operate overseas
- Greater access for foreign carriers by opening international routes to regional airports
- Increased foreign investment limits for airports, air cargo and ground handling
India is poised to emerge as the third largest aviation market in the world by the end of this decade with the domestic market expected to generate approximately 2.6 million jobs. The Government has taken various steps towards structural policy reforms and is coming out with new policies which will encourage public-private partnerships allowing 74 per cent
foreign direct investment (FDI) for green field airports. Private investors are allowed to set up general airport and captive airstrips while maintaining a distance of 150 kms from the existing ones. Complete tax exemption is also being granted for 10 years.
The industry in the next five years plans to expand the airport network and provide connectivity to Tier II and III cities. In cities where the existing airport cannot accommodate future growth, a second airport is being planned. The aviation sector has a growth potential to absorb up to US$120 billion of investments and domestic passenger numbers are predicted to reach 100-120 million.
The world’s population is above seven billion with more than 2.5 billion passengers flying each year. With another two billion people expected to be living on the planet by 2050, there are going to be a lot more people on the move. With growth comes the need for increased facilities and space on the ground. We are all looking for comfort, space and atmosphere on planes; we are getting used to the increased IFE offering and inflight connectivity – but how will tomorrow’s airport and boarding experience look?
I sometimes feel that I spend more time at airports than at home. On European flights, which seldom exceed 2.5 hours, I tend to
hang out a lot in airports and I do have a few favourites. However, quite a few could do with some improvement.
Generally, passengers want to spend as little time as possible at airports without the risk of actually missing the flight. They want less congestion at security and passport control…and that is on the return journey too. When travelling by bus or train – you are out the minute you step off. Life is not the same at airports. When taking a flight today you might think you are travelling the quickest way between two cities. In reality there is an array of circumstances that can slow down this process. It might be a detour
to avoid bad weather, flying over military air space, congestion in the air, or simply a queue to land at the airport. Once we arrive we want to get off and out of the airport as quickly as possible. We want to be on the move. Getting around by plane is already a huge challenge, but looking forward to 2050 there could be four times as many planes with less available ground space for airports.
It will be a challenge but it also offers us a huge opportunity to find new ways of ensuring passenger comfort both on the ground and in the air and even new ways of preparing food. It all goes with the territory of growth.
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