Aviation

Economic uncertainties in Europe, rising aviation fuel price, and a drop in airlines' revenues have dented confidence in the aviation sector. However, its long-term prospects remain positive, and one can be sure airlines will keep hiring people to fly and serve on their planes.

For one thing, more and more budget airlines have entered or will soon be flying into Hong Kong's aviation market. This is a good sign because the more the competition, the better the packages they offer as they need to attract the best and the brightest from the city's limited pool of aviation professionals.

Working in aviation has very different demands from your usual office work, such as being far away from home during the festive seasons. On the bright side, airline staff get the chance to celebrate holidays with colleagues in fabulous places such as New York or Paris. So those who want to be a cabin crew member must be okay with being away from home for as long as a week at times.

Air crew who get pregnant basically stop flying for work and will be offered an office job and the standard 10-week leave. Flight crew with kids are sometimes given priority when it comes to days off on Saturdays and Sundays, subject to availability.

Vivian Leung, business development manager, Aviation Institute
As told to Chiu Po-sze