IKON
All cargo carrier Cargolux has rewarded ground services company LUG Aircargo Handling with a dangerous goods awareness award in “appreciation of its compliance, handling and reporting standards”. The new annual initiative was launched by Cargolux to emphasis the critical importance of careful and proper dangerous goods handling.
“It is the ground handler’s duty to establish that all relevant checks are conducted and irregularities reported in a timely manner to warrant that only correctly packed, labelled and documented shipments are transported,” says a statement.
According to Cargolux, throughout 2012, LUG has been very effective in spotting and reporting incorrectly documented and mislabeled shipments, particularly those containing lithium batteries. This has helped Cargolux to comply with air regulations and lower the residual risk in the transport of dangerous goods.
Some dangerous Goods
Amazon is found GUILTY of transporting dangerous goods by air after transporting lithium ion batteries and aerosols in and out of Britain in unmarked packages
Found guilty of breaking air navigation rules set by Civil Aviation Authority
Lithium batteries are banned from being transported without equipment
Company could be hit with an unlimited fine during sentencing on Friday
Online shopping giant Amazon have been found guilty of shipping potentially dangerous goods by air.
The items included lithium ion batteries and flammable aerosols, which were flown into and out of the UK from January 2014 to June 2015.
A jury at London’s Southwark Crown Court found the company guilty of four counts of causing dangerous goods to be delivered for carriage in an aircraft in breach of air navigation rules, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said.
The prosecution for the dangerous goods found in Amazon UK Services Ltd shipments was brought by the CAA under the Air Navigation (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 2002.
It outlines how dangerous goods must be handled when transported by air.
This includes how they must be classified, packed, marked, labelled and documented – as well as the dangerous goods training which must be completed by the persons sending them.
After the hearing, the CAA’s general counsel Kate Staples said: ‘The safety of aviation and the public is paramount and that’s why there are important international and domestic restrictions to prohibit the shipping of certain goods that pose a flight safety risk.
‘These dangerous goods include lithium batteries, which are banned from being transported as mail or cargo on a passenger aircraft unless they are installed in or packed with equipment.
‘We work closely with retailers and online traders to ensure they understand the regulations and have robust processes in place so their items can be shipped safely.
What is the Job all about?
Commercial/Ground/Cargo Operations divisions of the airline require ground staff at the Airports/Cargo and Sales offices to take care of various passenger facilities such as ticketing, checking-in passengers (issuing and checking Boarding Passes), directing passengers, answering queries, preparing passenger lists, completing luggage formalities, attending to cargo documentation, holiday bookings, limo services, etc.
Can you go for it?
Depending on the level of the job, you need specific abilities – but ability that is common to all jobs in Airlines are strong PR & Communications skills.
Management skills are required in any other Organization, but in the airlines business, somehow there is a greater requirement for very strong PR skills, compassion in dealing with people and a deeper understanding of their needs, etc. Passengers can get very difficult –due to delays or other technical problem, so there is need to be calm and helpful, though the situation could be highly stressful.
The other requirement is commitment. If you want to go up the various Management levels there are courses to help you along the way.
Is there a future in this field?
India is currently experiencing a heavy growth in the Travel & Tourism Industry. Many Indians now travel abroad for Holidays and so also many tourists come to India. Besides the Air travel Industry is also experiencing a boom period. So there are many opportunities in Airlines/Airports/Hotels/Travel Agencies, etc.
Where to Begin
In Goa
Chowgule College Margao has a program in Aviation for Ground Jobs
After Class X: Do a Vocational Program in Travel & Tourism. Or after 10+2 in Arts, Commerce or Science, do your Graduation in Travel & Tourism through Don Bosco’s at Panaji or St. Xavier’s at Mapusa.
You could also do a short Certification course through Dempo College at Altinho in Panjim recognised by IATA (International Air travel Agency)
During the Vocational or Degree Program you could obtain an additional qualification through IATA/UFTAA www.IATA/UFTAA.org. This can be done directly online or by joining Stenodac, Mustifund, Trade Wings or Travco Goa – Panaji and Margao.
There are several Diplomas available through IATA – The more Diplomas you possess the higher the chances of a better job in the airline Industry.
There is a also a Three–in-One Package, where you can earn an Internationally recognized Diploma Program and will be entitled to add the designation “DTTF” (Diploma in Travel and Tourism Foundations) after your name:
The Three–in-One Program includes
Air fares and ticketing including e-ticketing
GDS training with interactive CD-ROM
In-depth travel industry general knowledge
There are Programs at a senior level too: i.e. Consultant /Management or as a
Travel Agent’s Marketing
MBA’s in Marketing &Sales or Finance are also needed for senior positions
After MBA’s Aviation Management and continue with marketing etc
Outside Goa
BBA/MBA in Aviation Management : Mumbai :LIAM ( Institute of Logistics & Aviation Management). https://www.ilamindia.in/
BBA/MBA in Aviation Management Banagalore Hindustan Aviation Academy https://hindustanacademy.edu.in/academy/aviation
Employment avenues
Ticketing Assistants: Are the first contact point for all travellers.
Check-in Assistants: At the airport check-in staff give the Passenger a Boarding pass after checking the Ticket/Passport/Luggage.etc
Customer Agents: Guide passengers through the formalities of immigration clearance, customs, security clearance, etc. Similarly the Customer Agents meet and guide passengers, when they arrive at their destination.
Traffic Assistants: Oversee loading and unloading of passengers’ luggage.
Cargo Assistants: Oversee the loading/unloading of commercial cargo. There are aspects of weight, Insurance, Governmental procedures that have to be adhered to, while preparing the documentation called the Air Way Bill, etc. Besides, there is certain type of Cargo – i.e. inflammable materials that cannot be accepted as it may cause safety issues to the aircraft.
The senior jobs such as Commercial Manager, Sales Manager, Cargo Manager Finance and Accounting Manager, Marketing and Sales, Manager-Airport Operations Marketing, Customer, Station, go to people who have the relevant qualifications /experience. e.g. BBA/MBA in Aviation Management plus experience.
Money:
Ground Jobs in local Airlines are from Rs.12000/- p.m. to Rs.20,000/-p.m. And they proportionately go up for senior jobs. Besides, there are significant benefits when you work for an Airline.You and your family get free/concessional tickets to go to any destination of your choice and these facilities are also extended when you retire from the airline.
Please do not be satisfied with just acquiring a Degree/Diploma – try and enhance your CV by doing online learning programs (with a certificate) of programs relevant to your choice of career. Your chances of employment will be much better than just a plain degree/diploma.
Please check this website under other details for places you can learn online. Also try and develop your confidence by doing a public speaking training program with people like Toast Masters International.
For government jobs: please check : http://www.employment-newspaper.com/