Airline and Travel and Tourism Industry - Introduction

AIRLINE AND TRAVEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRY – INTRODUCTION

Unit – 1
Commercial Aviation
Commercial aviation is the part of civil aviation (both general aviation and scheduled airline
services) that involves operating aircraft for hire to transport passengers or multiple loads of
cargo.
The Air Commerce Act of 1926 began to regularize commercial aviation by establishing
standards, facilitation, and promotion.
Civil aviation is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-military aviation,
both private and commercial. Scheduled air transport, including all passenger and cargo flights
operating on regularly scheduled routes; and. General aviation (GA), including all other civil
flights, private or commercial.
Civil Aviation
Civil aviation is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-military aviation,
both private and commercial.
Civil aviation includes two major categories:
• Scheduled air transport, including all passenger and cargo flights operating on regularly
scheduled routes; and
• General aviation (GA), including all other civil flights, private or commercial.
General Aviation
General aviation includes all non-scheduled civil flying, both private and commercial. General
aviation may include business flights, air charter, private aviation, flight training, ballooning,
parachuting, gliding, hang gliding, aerial photography, foot-launched powered hang gliders, air
ambulance, crop dusting, charter flights, traffic reporting, police air patrols and forest fire
fighting.
Difference between Commercial and General Aviation:
Commercial Aviation:

• Involves ferrying passengers around in your giant (or small) plane.

• Much harder to get a commercial license with all those hours.
• Higher medical and safety standards.
• Must fly from larger tarmac airports. Ex: Boeing 737, Airbus A320.

General Aviation:

• Fly yourself and/or friends around and about in a much smaller, slower aircraft with
less range.

1|Page
Airline and Travel and Tourism Industry - Introduction

• Getting a license is easier than commercial.

• Lower medical and safety standards than commercial aviation
• No need for tarmac on every aircraft.
• Ex: A Cessna 172 Skyhawk, C172 etc.,

Difference between Scheduled flight and Chartered Flight

Scheduled flights run all year usually set times from a limited number of airlines [dependent
where you are going].

Charter flight are those used by tour operators during the holiday season they may be owned
by the two or seats purchased from an external source.

Air Taxi Operations

An air taxi is a small commercial aircraft which makes short flights on demand. Air taxi
operator means an aircraft operator who carries the operations in an aircraft with 30 or fewer
passenger seats and a payload capacity of 7,500 or less, for hire or compensation. An air taxi
operation must not use large aircraft and must maintain liability insurance

Air Taxi

An air taxi is a small commercial aircraft which makes short flights on demand. In 2001 air
taxi operations were promoted in the United States by a NASA and aerospace industry study
on the potential Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) and the rise of light-jet aircraft
manufacturing.

Advantages of Air Taxi Operations: -

• Propulsion Efficiency
• Performance
• Safety and Airworthiness
• Operational Effectiveness
• Noise and Annoyance
• Structure and Aeroelasticity
• Aircraft design

Private Operation in Aviation

The ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) recognizes only three kinds of
operations; commercial air transport, general aviation and aerial work.

• Commercial air transport operation: An aircraft operation involving the transport of

passengers, cargo or mail for remuneration or hire.

2|Page
Airline and Travel and Tourism Industry - Introduction

• General aviation operation: An aircraft operation other than a commercial air

transport operation or an aerial work operation.
• Aerial work: An aircraft operation in which an aircraft is used for specialized services
such as agriculture, construction, photography, surveying, observation and patrol,
search and rescue, aerial advertisement.

Airport Handling

It includes several operations like

• Reservation counter
• Check –in counter
• Baggage Make Up Area (BMA)
• Boarding gate
• Region of aircraft movement and parking(RAMP)
• Arrival
• Cargo

Fig: - Over view of Airport

Reservation Counter

Reservation counter means a counter, where from a passenger can purchase his/her ticket for
travel. Generally, we can see reservation counter in airports.

FUNCTION S/RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Reservation
• Cancellation
• Rescheduling/Rebooking

3|Page
Airline and Travel and Tourism Industry - Introduction

• SSR (Special Service request) booking

• Meal request
• Changing sector
• Help desk
• Refund (depending on point of purchase)

Check – in Counter
Airport check-in uses service counters found at commercial airports handling commercial air
travel. The check-in is normally handled by an airline itself or a handling agent working on
behalf of an airline. Passengers usually hand over any baggage that they do not wish or are not
allowed to carry on to the aircraft’s cabin and receive a boarding pass before they can proceed
to board their aircraft.

Check-in is usually the first procedure for a passenger when arriving at an airport, as airline
regulations require passengers to check in by certain times prior to the departure of a flight.
This duration spans from 15 minutes to 4 hours depending on the destination and airline.
During this process, the passenger has the ability to ask for special accommodations such as
seating preferences, inquire about flight or destination information, make changes to
reservations, accumulate frequent flyer program miles, or pay for upgrades.
The airline check-in's main function, however, is to accept luggage that is to go in the aircraft's
cargo hold and issue boarding passes.

Functions of Check-in Counter

When passenger presents himself/herself at the check-in counter the following checks must be
done. Along with that always wish passengers with a pleasant or warm smile and wish the time
of the day followed by:

• Check for the security sticker and condition of the baggage. Make sure baggage has
been screened and does not contain any dangerous goods articles.
• Request for ticket if not already presented. Check ticket details-validity of ticket,
sector of travel etc.
• Check photo id card of the passenger without any mistake.
• Ask for seat preference.
• Provide assistance according to passenger status (be more active for SSR passengers).
• Weigh baggage and ask about the fragile item.
• Charge for excess baggage (only then passenger baggage weight is more than FBA
(Free Baggage Allowance)).
• Issue Boarding Pass and Baggage Tag.
• Conform passenger about sector, seat number and baggage.
• Inform passenger about flight status, gate numbers.

4|Page
Airline and Travel and Tourism Industry - Introduction

Baggage Make Up Area

Baggage Make Up Area (BMA) is the adjacent place of terminal building where the check-in
/registered baggage are segregated as per flight detail, reconciled by the employee, and
consolidated in trolleys and dispatched to the RAMP (Region of Aircraft Movement and
Parking)
The staff/employee is allocated in the BMA should be vigilant at all time as it is here that a lot
of pilferage takes place.
Functions of BMA:

• Arrange trolleys according to the flights load.

• Check security sticker of the baggage and segregated as per the destination.
• Check the types of baggage (i.e. hardcase, soft baggage, fragile baggage etc.) and then
align.
• Reconcile baggage and load in trolley.
• Dispatch baggage to aircraft for loading.
• Inform RAMP staff about trolley count, baggage count and baggage weight.

Boarding Gate/Security Hold Area

Boarding gate is the place wherefrom passengers move to board the aircraft.
FUNCTIONS OF BG/SHA:
• Ensure all passengers’ hand baggage tags are stamped.
• Take details of all SSR passengers before boarding.
• Inform AAI (Airport Authority of India) about boarding of the particular flight.
• Make announcement from the PA Booth (Passenger Addressing Booth).
• Reconcile passenger boarding passes.
• Assist senior citizen passengers, first time traveller, UM (Unaccompanied Minor),
mother with infant.
• Inform RAMP about missing passenger (if in case).
• Pass TOB (Total on Board) to RAMP.
• Close door within restricted time.

Region of Aircraft Movement and Parking (RAMP)

Encouraging RAMP personnel to promptly and fully report incidents and accidents is a key
element in just culture. RAMP personnel must be trained to view safety as a much more
important priority than meeting schedules, and they should be encouraged to report
immediately to their supervisor the slightest scratch or dent in an aircraft any collision
between ground equipment’s and aircraft.
So RAMP is the most sensitive area to work. For that staffs need to be more cautious while
working.
Functions of RAMP:
• Evacuate passengers.
• Ensure anti-sabotage check (interior check of cabin by airlines security staff).
• Offload baggage and cargo.
• Clean cabin of the aircraft.
5|Page
Airline and Travel and Tourism Industry - Introduction

• Load catering.
• Refuelling.
• Start embarkation.
• Load outgoing baggage.
• Tally with boarding gate’s employee about exact load.
• Get the load and trim signed by the captain.
• Release aircraft.

Arrival

Before arrival of the aircraft the arrival staff must check action on the following items:
• Review all inbound messages.
• Check ETA and display the same on the FIDS (Flight Information Display System).
• Check out aircraft registration and parking Bay.
• Check for any special handling message –VIP/CIP/WCHR/UM.
• (Where VIP –Very Important Person, CIP-Commercial Important Person, WCHR-
Wheel Chair Till RAMP, UM-Unaccompanied Minor).
• Ensure that wheel chair and loaders are available for arrival.
• Arrange for RAMP to RAMP transfer in case MCT (Minimum Connection Time).
• Meet the aircraft and escort passenger to arrival hall.
• Collect all traffic documents from IFM (Inflight Manager).
• Display indicators at the arrival conveyor belt (Carousel). In case of un-serviceability
of indicators appropriate action must be taken.
Cargo

Cargo can be defined as any property which is carried by an aircraft other than mail, company
cargo, engineering equipment’s and unaccompanied or mishandle baggage.
Types of Cargo:
1. Perishable Cargo
2. Valuable/Precious Cargo
3. Vulnerable Cargo
4. Live Analysis
5. Human Remains
6. Bonded Cargo
7. Company Cargo

Role of Regulatory Bodies of Aviation

IATA (International Air Transport Association)

IATA stands for the International Air Transport Association and is the official trade
organization for the world’s airlines (more than 85 participating nations). For air carriers, IATA
provides a polled resource for scheduling, traffic and routes, standardizing services and the
creation of a worldwide public service for the air industry.

For consumers, IATA sets the international standard for services and business practices
amongst member airlines. As an example, the three-digit airport codes used internationally are
an IATA convention. Additionally, IATA aims to achieve the following mandate:

6|Page
Airline and Travel and Tourism Industry - Introduction

• To promote safe, regular and economic air transport

• To foster air commerce
• To study problems connected with airline industry
• To provide a means of collaborating between air transport companies and agencies
• To co-operate with other international air transportation organizations Essentially,
IATA is airlines working together to standardize and improve service
internationally Due to the vital role played by IATA in air transportation issues, it
is recommended that you ensure that your carrier/forwarder is an IATA agent.

Functions of IATA

• Improve the regulatory and legal environment like consumer protection,

infrastructures etc.
• Monitor and maintain high level of membership satisfaction.
• Ensure 100% IATA members are aware of requirements of resolution 753 i.e end
to end baggage tracking.
• Commencement of different programs and certifications like cargo management,
distribution and payments etc for better insights and learnings for the people
working or will to work with Aviation industry.
• Help formulate industry policies on critical Aviation issues

ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation)

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a UN specialized agency, established

by States in 1944 to manage the administration and governance of the Convention on
International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention).

ICAO works with the Convention’s 193 Member States and industry groups to reach consensus
on international civil aviation Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and policies in
support of a safe, efficient, secure, economically sustainable and environmentally responsible
civil aviation sector.

• The convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) was signed

on 7 Dec 1944 by 52 states.
• The provisional ICAO was established from 6 June 1947 until 4 Apr 1947 (cause
of the pending ratification by 26 states.
• ICAO came into being 4 Apr 1947 (as ratification was received.
• ICAO became a specialized agency of the United Nations

ICAO Objectives:

• Safety
• Air Navigation Capacity and Efficiency
• Security and Facilitation

7|Page
Airline and Travel and Tourism Industry - Introduction

• Economic Development of Air Transport.

• Environmental Protection
• Encourage Development of International airways, airports.
ICAO Aims:

• Encourage Aircraft Design and Operation for peaceful purposes

• Encourage development of International airways, airports and navigation facilities
• Prevent economic waste caused by unreasonable completion
• Ensuring rights of contracting states are fully respected
• Promoting Flight safety in International air navigation
Functions of ICAO:

• Air navigation
• Its infrastructure & regulations
• Flight inspection
• Prevention of unlawful interface
• Facilitation of border-crossing procedures for international civil aviation
• Planning & Development of International Air transport to ensure safety & security
• Principles & techniques of International Air Navigation

FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)

• Created in 1958 as Federal Aviation Agency

• Merged with DOT in 1967 & renamed

Aims

• Promotion of regulation in Civil Aviation

• Ensure safe & orderly growth of Aviation

Air Traffic Control

• 50% of manpower deployed in this role.

• Computer based semi-automatic ATC system

Certification of aircraft

• Aircraft manufacture
• Design, construction, Testing, & Production
• Type, Production, Airworthiness certificate

A/C Maintenance

• Schedules for maintenance & overhaul approval of repair status

8|Page
Airline and Travel and Tourism Industry - Introduction

Certification of personal

• Pilots, Engines, Mechanics, ATC

• Aircraft Dispatches, Parachute riggers
• Flight Instructors

Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)was initially set up as a cell in the Directorate
General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in January 1978 on the recommendation of Pande
Committee constituted in the wake of hijacking of the Indian Airlines flight on 10th September,
1976.

• The roll of the cell was to co-ordinate, monitor, inspect and train personnel in Civil
Aviation Security matters.

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the Indian governmental regulatory body
for civil aviation under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. This directorate investigates aviation
accidents and incidents.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is the principal regulatory body in the field of civil
aviation. It is not only responsible for regulation of air transport services to/ from/ within India,
for formulation and enforcement of civil air regulations, air safety and airworthiness standards
but also co-ordinates all regulatory functions with International Civil Aviation Organisation
(ICAO).

There are 14 (fourteen) Regional Airworthiness Offices located at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai,
Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Trivandrum, Bhopal, Lucknow, Patna, Bhubaneswar, Kanpur,
Guwahati and Patiala

Functions:

• Regulation of air transport services to/from/within India in accordance with the

provisions of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, including bilateral and multilateral with foreign
countries and gov policies;
• Registration of civil aircraft;
• Laying down airworthiness requirement for civil aircraft registered in India and grant
of certificate of Airworthiness to such aircraft;
• Licensing of pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers and monitoring of flight crew
standards;
• Licensing of aerodromes and air carriers;
• Rendering advice to the gov on matters pertaining to civil aviation;
• Investigation of minor air accidents;

9|Page
Airline and Travel and Tourism Industry - Introduction

• Supervision of training activities of Flying/Gliding clubs;

• Type certification of aircraft.
IATA Geography and Global Indicators
IATA has divided the world in its Traffic conference areas and further sub areas with some
exceptions to the general political geography which is particularly applied to various
international air tariff construction rules.
IATA has divided the world into three main Traffic Conference Areas: Area 1, Area 2 and Area
3. In addition to being divided into three main areas, the IATA world map also has two
hemispheres: The Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
The Eastern Hemisphere is comprised of IATA Areas 2 & 3 (TC2 and TC3) while the Western
Hemisphere is made up of IATA Area 1 (TC1).
Area 1 or TC1 is composed of the Western Hemisphere

• North America
• Central America

• Caribbean Area (incl Caribbean Islands)

• South America
Area 2 or TC2 is composed of the Eastern Hemisphere

• Europe
➢ European Common Aviation Area
➢ (ECAA)Economic & Monetary Union (EMU) (21)

• Africa
➢ Central Africa
➢ Eastern Africa
➢ Southern Africa
➢ Western Africa
Area 3 or TC3

• South East Asia Sub-area (SEA)

• South Asian Subcontinent Sub-area (SASC)

• Japan, Korea Sub-area
• South West Pacific Sub-area
Global Indicators

10 | P a g e
Airline and Travel and Tourism Industry - Introduction

Fares are established not only by class of Service or fare type but by routing type.
For Example, and Economy Class (Y) fare from LAX to HKG via the Atlantic (AT) would be
higher than the fare paid if the passenger travelled via the Pacific (PA).
Consequently, it is important to first find out what type of routing the passenger is taking in
order to quote the correct fare.
TC1 Represents not just Area 1 but when used in reference to routing types it means TRAVEL
WITHIN Area 1 or the WESTERN HEMISPHERE (WH).
(WH) CHI – MIA – MEX
TC2 Represents not just Area 1 but when used in reference to routing types it means TRAVEL
WITHIN Area 2 or the EASTERN HEMISPHERE (EH).
(EH) LON – CAI – JNB
TC3 Represents Area 3 and also refers to TRAVEL WITHIN Area 3 which is a part of the
EASTERN HEMISPHERE (EH).
(EH) SIN – HKG – SHA
(CHI- Chicago, MIA-Miami(US), MEX-Mexico, LON-London, CAI-Cairo(Egypt), JNB-
Johannesburg, SIN-Singapore, HKG- Hongkong, SHA- Shanghai(China).

11 | P a g e