IATA launches new aviation courses in India

Mumbai: IATA has launched new training courses in India through the Speedwings Academy for Aviation Services, Cochin, a leading IATA-authorised training centre based in Kochi. IATA officials said that new aviation related policies of the Government are set to result in an unprecedented demand for trained personnel in the airline and airport segments.

"The Government of India's open policies towards modernisation and privatisation of airports in India and the trend to link the country's important towns and cities with a cluster of domestic flights, will all, naturally, result in an unprecedented demand for trained personnel in the airline and airport segments," said Peggy Esseldeurs, assistant director, IATA Training & Development Institute, Canada.

"Due to the growth in the number of airlines that are operating to India, and the large influx of tourists that are arriving into India, priority and importance has to be given to customer service," she added.

According to Esseldeurs, "Unlike other courses of IATA which are currently being conducted for passenger and cargo agency training in association with UFTAA and FIATA, the new aviation courses are conducted by IATA directly and are the first of their kind in the aviation industry. These courses mainly focus on the commercial aspects of airline and airport operations."

IATA has authorised Speedwings to conduct seven new IATA aviation courses. These include airline and airport customer service, cargo marketing and perishable cargo handling and airline call center training.

According to Biji Eapen, chairman & CEO of Speedwings Aviation Academy, an introduction to Air Transportation & Airline Industry and Airline Call Centre programmes are a must for persons in the aviation, travel and tourism industry from entry-level personnel to senior executives and managers. He also said that customised short-term courses were being planned to suit the convenience of airline and airport personnel.

ACK Nair, director, CIAL, who presided over the function in which Speedwings was given the authorization certificate by IATA, said, "The new courses will instill professionalism in the aspirants looking for exciting and lucrative jobs in the aviation industry and will enhance their expertise to meet the present global challenges.

Examinations will be held twice in a year, in March and September, and IATA will award international diplomas to successful trainees.