Indian Aviation Industry: When will it Fly High…?

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Hospitality and Aviation Industry performed below the potential in spite of their good days and later a move towards heavy losses were noticed due to competition & recession backed by cost curtailing techniques & restricted investments. An expected boom in the Travel & Tourism Industry is expected in next upcoming decade that will contribute Rs. 8500 billion to the GDP.

However, Government’s contribution to the Tourism Infrastructure sector stands around 0.1% with Rs.1050 crore in the Budget 2010. In contrast to other neighbouring nations, India seems to be an expensive nation in hospitality industry. However, currently they are offering budgeted category rooms but norms related to acquisition of licenses may hinder their process to promote the same sector.

The Aviation Industry on the other hand can be backed up by Government support by introduction of low cost carriers and speeding up Infrastructural Projects.

Weakening Head wings

  • Although Travel & Tourism Industry has gained much potential over last few years with increase in number of Travelers but it is still the Airlines Industry that finds traces of financial crises. to see rising credit costs for new planes, while hedging against fuel prices would become increasingly difficult as a result of the crisis
  • It is yet not clearly defined that how any rescue package will work for the airline unless it deals with big expenses such as rising credit costs for new planes & hedging against fuel prices would become increasingly difficult as a result of the crisis
  • Jet Airways has already taken up initials for Business Re engineering by converting up to two thirds of its capacity to its low cost services, Jet Konnect. Besides leasing out at least seven of its Boeing 777-300ER planes, even selling one to an Emirate in UAE
  • Company like Kingfisher Airlines saddled with high volume of debt canceled the proposal to buy new airbus instead are returning their leased A320 aircrafts With 15%, market Share currently Indigo Airlines has taken competitive advantage over other operators by paring with thrift conscious customer base & operating in limited sectors. It is expected to increase its business more at a decreasing rate with its competitor Spicejet

In the near future both Kingfisher Airlines and Jet Airways are expected to diversify their operations to international sectors with doubling the units of aircraft they are currently earned with. However, with increased number of operations, infrastructural drawback at airports may be a hurdle for swift operation. However, the year 2010 may be a good opportunity for the Tourism & Aviation Industry backed by government support and the Common Wealth Games in 2010.

Author name: Rahul Sonthalia, Research Head, Kredent