India's aviation boom gives cabin crew new wings

By Sunil Kataria

NEW DELHI (Reuters Life!) - Never mind the long hauls and the demanding passengers -- thousands of young Indians are enrolling at flight attendant schools for a sky-high career that promises generous pay and a glamorous lifestyle.

Most of the students -- from small towns and low-to-middle income families -- have never been inside an airplane or traveled outside India.

But they've been inspired by the breathtaking growth of India's aviation industry which has fuelled strong demand for staff, on the ground and in the sky.

"We heard this is a good career to get into. Our child will have a good future," said Lal Gurg, a grocery store owner who borrowed from friends and relatives to get his 21-year-old daughter, Anju, into a flight attendant training institute.

"She would be on her own, independent. She can even support us if the need be."

India's economy is booming as is the aviation industry, which officials estimate will attract investments worth $150 billion in the next 10 years. The travel market is also forecast to expand at more than 20 percent annually till 2010.

All of this has helped turn "cabin crew" into a desirable profession when 10 years ago, parents hoped their children would become doctors, engineers or civil servants.

FLYING HIGH