Airlines set to take off after turbulence

The year 2010 was both a year that saw a silver lining as well as dark clouds in the aviation industry. Except Air India, which continues to face tough times, other airlines began a steady march towards recovery after the slowdown years of 2008 and 2009.
What should be a huge relief to the Indian aviation authorities is the fact that the US did not downgrade the Indian safety regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, to sub-Saharan Africa levels. The final nod for the second airport in Mumbai after a delay of three years and the opening of new T3 terminal in New Delhi were a big plus for travellers.
But just as good news was flowing in thick and fast after two years of gloom, the worst fears of aviation came true with India witnessing one of its worst ever air crashes on May 22. Air India Express's flight 812 crashed at Mangalore airport, killing 158 of the 166 people on board.
The crash, coming amid fears which began in the troubled 2008-09 that some crises-ridden airlines may not have even enough funds to keep their fleet airworthy, led to intense financial surveillance of the carriers. The scrutiny once again revealed that except Air India, most other significant airlines' fortunes were showing changes—thanks to a double-digit growth in domestic air travel.
This is borne by the fact that 2009 saw 445.1 lakh people flying within India. But the January-November 2010 period itself saw that figure being left behind with 468 lakh people flying in India. Considering about 50 lakh people fly in December, 2010 may witness a 16% rise over 2009.
22/12/10 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Dec 2010