India Reflections

I landed in India a few weeks ago with a degree of nervousness about what was ahead. What would it really be like? Would it be a complete culture shock?

 Would I end up with the infamous Delhi belly? ? Knowing we would be travelling a lot, would it be chaotic and disorganised? Would airports be packed and hard to navigate? 

All I’m slightly ashamed to say based on negative perceptions we in the west have of India.

What I’ve learned during my two week trip  around this vast country is that India really is an amazing place. Of all the flights we took, only 2 were delayed and still managed to 

arrive close to their scheduled time (good schedules padding I know, but still..); without fail, all of the airports we went through were easy to navigate and there are some great 

developments to improve passenger experience at Indian airports.  Our experience of the two biggest airlines, Indigo and air India was overwhelmingly positive with consistently

good passenger experience time after time. Digitally both of these carriers  communicate with passengers in a way that no carriers outside of India are managing to do. 

Air India keeps you informed at every step of the way about where to check in, which gate to go  to and even sends you your bag tag code electronically as you step on board. 

Digital technology is being embraced in India across all aspects of the passenger journey -  from home grown airlines to the Digiyatra app that is your passport to travelling through an airport with ease. 

In a market where there are many first time, and first generation air travellers, we have observed kindness and tolerance for these new flyers, both in airports and onboard - not something you would typically see in the West.  What really makes India though are its people. Warm, friendly, inquisitive, helpful and keen for the world to see that India is shaking off the past and embracing its place on the world stage.   It is also a mistake to see India as just one country. It is multi faceted, and much more of a collection of countries with different languages, customs and cultures.  

Digiyatra App

I also ate some amazing food and sampled some home grown Indian gin - a bottle of which managed to find it's way home with me. 

Cherrapunji Eastern Craft Gin

Undoubtedly there are challenges ahead for India. Narrowing the gap between the wealthy and the poor is one of the biggest challenges. Much is written about the growing middle class in India but as of now, according to a recent Economist article, only 60m people out of a population of 1.4 billion earn over $10,000 a year - less than 5% of the country.  

Ensuring women and girls have equal opportunities is another challenge in’ a country that still, at times feels very much like a patriarchy.   In the context of India’s aviation industry, the challenge undoubtedly is to provide infrastructure that matches the pace of growth and deliver on the potential that aviation offers - facilitating connectivity and trade, connecting families and friends and opening up the world to and from India. 

So for me, it wasn't a case of goodbye, but more when will I see you again, India? 

-Deirdre Fulton