Ground control
The eld of ground handling presents a plethora of prospects for those aspiring to be at the heart of aviation’s operational excellence.
ndia’s aviation sector is soaring to new heights and passenger capacity is expected to increase from 192 million to 420 million in the next four years at the six major Indian airports. The eet strength of Indian airlines is also expected to grow from 700 to 2,000 aircrafts within the same time frame.
IWhat it involves
This has led to a pressing need for procient individuals to orchestrate the seamless and safe operations of ground handling services at airports across the country. Ground handling encompasses a spectrum of services vital for the swift transition of an aircraft from landing to take-o . These encompass aircraft marshalling, baggage handling, fuelling, catering, aircraft cleaning, passenger services and aircraft maintenance, all of which collectively ensures the safe, punctual, and ecient operations of airlines and airports.
This, in turn, directly inuences the overall passenger experience and bolsters an airline’s reputation. Consequently, the demand for skilled ground handling professionals is burgeoning.
Opportunities
Key roles within this domain include:
Ramp Agent: Responsible for handling passenger baggage and cargo, handling Ground Support Equipment as well as other related activities when the aircraft is on ground.
Baggage Handler: Ensures the proper loading, unloading and transportation of passengers’ luggage to designated areas.
Customer
Agent: Facilitates smooth check-ins, assists passengers with inquiries, aids persons with reduced mobility and handles other related activities to ensure a
Service
seamless process.
Load Control Agent: Plans, coordinates and produces all loading, weight and balance documents as per company and client airline specications.
Despite automation, the industry demands highly trained individuals to oversee seamless operations. Specialised training is necessary for tasks such as operating ground service equipment and loading cargo to maintain safety and eciency. This requires the development of industry-specic skills, including interaction with AI and ML technologies, and the honing of soft skills for passenger interactions. To bridge the skills gap, a new talent pathway is essential, with specialised training academies o ering accelerated programmes to prepare individuals for diverse roles within the aviation industry.
Courses
boarding
Currently, many training academies o er a Certicate in Ground Handling and Airport Operations, spanning 30 days or more. Prospective students are required to meet specic eligibility criteria such as Class 12 pass certicate for Ramp Agent and a degree for Customer Service Executive (CSE). Upon successful completion, students receive placement assistance.
Ground handling is pivotal for the aviation industry and o ers a diverse spectrum of career opportunities for those seeking a dynamic and fast-paced work environment.
A career in ground handling also opens up avenues within the hospitality and services sector owing to a close proximity between them. With India’s aviation sector on a growth trajectory, the demand for adept ground handling professionals is poised to escalate. gribusiness Management is fast emerging as a course that can create employment opportunities in agribusiness, banking, insurance, and allied agriculture sectors. It combines agriculture, business and project management disciplines and covers di erent areas such as crop agriculture, animal husbandry, dairying, poultry production, sheries, horticulture, rural development, food processing, food retail, co-operation, food ebusiness, dairy business, project management, entrepreneurship, logistics management, and startups.
ACourses and institutes
A range of courses are available: certicate, diploma, undergraduate postgraduate. While some universities in India o er BBA or B.Com. in Agribusiness Management, UG courses are limited.
However there are plenty of postgraduate courses. The Hyderabad-based National institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) o ers a two-year PG Diploma programme in Agribusiness Management with admissions being based on scores in CAT. The course