There are two reasons why people will want to get into the aviation industry. The first one is that they’ve always dreamed of either becoming a pilot or an astronaut (most kids dream of this). The second one is that there’s an airport close to home, so they want to make money from that proximity. Both, of course, are very valid reasons to start a business linked to aviation. Before the pandemic, it is one of the most profitable industries in the world. It seems there was no stopping the airline industry from hauling people from one place to another, either because of tourism or business.
The good thing about the aviation industry is that it requires plenty of third parties and outsourced jobs. It doesn’t hire everyone it needs such as circuit board makers or public relations or maintenance. It usually taps competitive third-party companies for the outsourcing of the many tasks it needs. That’s why entrepreneurs with little startup money can find their footings in this industry.
Transportation
No, not airline or even helicopter transportation service. You can provide the cars that take passengers from the airport or tarmac to their hotels or apartments. You are still somehow part of the aviation industry since you will be servicing a particular airline or airport, but you don’t need that much money to start this small business idea. Yes, you need a fleet of cars, but a small business loan can take care of that.
Engineering and Tech
If you have a degree in engineering or computer technology or any other similar courses, you can start building and providing printed circuit boards or PC boards to airline companies, aviation schools (for simulation), and airplane manufacturing companies. You have to make sure, however, that the circuit board gets the ISO 9001 PCB certification so that you can offer the best products to your clients and customers.
Aviation Magazine and Newsletter
In an industry like aviation, information is critical. This puts you in a unique perspective. You can start an aviation magazine or newsletter that will talk about the latest news, trends, and information in the industry. Aviation enthusiasts, as well as other stakeholders, are genuinely interested in what’s going on in the industry. It can be a travel guide where you talk about places that people can visit. You can also provide information about flight discounts and similar promotions.
Flight Catering Services
Airline food is always the butt of jokes, but you can be the game changer here. In the past years, airlines are trying to up their game when it comes to the food they serve. For example, even economy-class passengers of Etihad Airways, Swiss International, Thai Airways, and Singapore Airlines get delicious and restaurant-grade meals. Caterers are major contractors to various airline companies. It’s basically just pre-packing food but with a more discerning palette than your toddlers.
Blog About the Industry
Similar to an aviation magazine, you can blog about the aviation industry. You can interview CEOs about the changes in the industry. You can even make a video blog about certain processes and procedures there, provided that you get the go-signal from the company. This is a niche that not many people have touched yet. You will be surprised how many people are interested in this topic.
Cleaning Services
If you have little startup capital, cleaning services is a great idea to get into the aviation industry. You can join the bidding process that most airports have for their major contractors, one of which is the cleaning services for the maintenance of the airport. Airports have to be cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis, so they might even hire several cleaning companies to do the job.
Ticketing and Reservation
Perhaps, one of the most popular ways to get involved in the aviation industry is through a ticketing and reservations business. Once people get through the hurdle of getting approved for a visa, the next step would be for them to book a flight. That’s why this is important. Although a lot of people already book their flights via the internet, there is still a considerable part of the population who would rather book with a ticketing agent.
The aviation industry is composed of many different parts. They don’t hire all these people as regular employees. It is one of the industries most dependent on outsourcing services—from cleaning to catering to marketing to human resources. You can definitely find your niche amid this and thrive in a setting that you’ve always wanted to be a part of.
