"A business meeting in London, and then in Bangkok, a weekend of work & leisure in Paris and final decision at Mumbai or Delhi Office on Monday morning." such is the busy life in the corporate world of today. Traveling has become an inextricable part of our modern day lives. As per forecast mode by World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), within the next 10 years 10 million jobs will come up in India in the field of travel and tourism industry and major share will be in the aviation field.

During 2004, aircraft movement increased by 17%, passenger traffic by near 15% and cargo by nearly 12%.As per Sh. Praful Patel, Minister for Civil Aviation, "In 2002-2003 fiscal year, nearly 45.5 millions Indians took to the skies, out of which 15 millions accounted for domestic travel only. This is expected to rise by 5 millions per year during next 10 years.

We have only 175civil aircraft and to cater for such volume ofair traffic, there will be ademand for 200 more aircrafts by next 12 years."The state owned Airlines (AI and IA) are expanding the air fleet with new aircraft worth Rs.10,000 crores. More and more private airlines are coming up and with the Govt. showing green signal for crossing the Indian shores with open sky policy, air travel is going to be more and more competitive.

HAL is the major employer for Aeronautical Engineers. It has sixteen divisions and nine research centers. During 2003-04, it has recorded sales of nearly Rs.3700 crores with export contribution as_207 crores. Apart from overhaul/repair of MIG21 / 27, Dornier, AN-32, Jaguar, Kiran and other Trainer aircraft, HAL is engaged with major projects like upgradation of MIG-BIS Aircraft, Sukhoi

MKI, LCA(Tejas), ALH(Dhruv), PTA(Lakshya),LTA(Saras),IJT and has collaboration with many international players in aviation field. The Government has already announced a hike in the Fe' limit from 40% to 49 % in the aviation sector. Process for modernization of all the airports to international standards in India has already been set up in motion.

Aviation sector is passing through an era of big boom. Sh. Sunil Arora, CMO, Indian Airlines says, "Almost all airlines are offering tickets at discounted rates. This, in fact, acts as market stimulant and helps grow the pie." Civil Aviation Secretary Sh. Ajay Prasad says, "With a host of new airlines starting operations this year with promises to drop air fares, the number of passengers in India is expected to of new airlines starting operations this year with promises to drop air fares, the number of passengers in India is expected to grow to 50 million in five years." New aircraft are being acquired, FDI in aviation sector has been enhanced, private airlines given a green signal to operate off shore routes and infrastructural facilities are being upgraded.

HAL is expanding its wings in international market and DRO has launched many more projects. Our own defence requirements of aviation is increasing day by day. All this means more job opportunities. People having aeronautics as background are going to be more & more in demand. Aeronautical engineering holds a great promise to all those who join this field now. With very few institutions imparting education in the aeronautical field, the demand for aeronautical engineers will grow tremendously in the days to come.