The first mover

INTERVIEW: Akash Gupta

'We have created a niche for ourselves'

The Air Hostess Academy (AHA) was set up in 1997 by the husband and wife team of Akash and Sapna Gupta. It was the first academy in India that trained students for the jobs of air hostesses, flight stewards and airport ground staff, and is the No 1 trainer for the entire service industry (aviation, hospitality and BPO). The Academy has successfully placed 3,000 students in leading airlines and hotels. AHA today runs 26 branches across nine Indian cities and has plans to set up operations abroad. Akash Gupta, CEO, Air Hostess Academy, retraces the company's journey and speaks about his future plans.

What led you set up AHA in 1997, long before the budget airline, hotel and tourism boom had become a reality?

When my wife Sapna and I decided to set up AHA, we were aware that we would be treading on new territory. And that, I think, was the motivating factor. There was an existing vacuum in the hospitality and aviation sector. We were able to spot it and move in. Our experience in the industry helped too. Initially, we started with a three-month course. Soon it became a six-month course, till we came to the current one and two-year programmes. These were undertaken keeping in mind the specific nature of the industry.

How has your 'first mover advantage' benefited your business?

Being the 'first' is a matter of pride. There is a certain 'living upto' that is involved too. What we have managed to do is create certain credibility in the market. AHA is a brand. We are the benchmark. Though there are many more players in the market today, we have created a niche for ourselves. However, we have constantly evolved with time and emerging realities.

Has your success attracted imitators who hope to replicate it? 

That's but natural. We started out as solo players in the field. And today there are innumerable institutions that have entered the field. But I really cannot comment on whether they have been able to replicate our success story. We entered the fray when there was none. We have seen it all"" the boom and the glut. And we are here to stay. By now, of course, we have everything in place infrastructure wise, and are more than ready to make that next leap.

How do you ensure that your students get the best possible training?

We have a very qualified faculty which ensures that the students get the best possible training. We are well attuned to the changing demands of this industry, not just in India, but internationally as well. Hence, we are quick to innovate or make necessary changes in our curriculum. We recently introduced swimming as a part of our course, as it is a requirement internationally. Also, AHA is the only institute in the world which has its one and two-year courses in Aviation and Hospitality Management validated by the prestigious University of Cambridge International Examination (CIE), UK.

Where do you see your business three to five years from now, in terms of size and geographical spread of operations?

In the next five years, we are looking at setting up five more centres within the country, not more. The reason is that our intentions are not commerce-driven. We see ourselves as bridging the demand and supply gap in manpower in the aviation and hospitality sector. We are not looking at a scenario where every household has an AHA diploma holder but doesn't have a job. That would go against the concept behind the inception of AHA. As for the second part of your question, yes, we are giving a serious thought to going international as well.

"What we have managed to do is create certain credibility in the market. AHA is a brand. We are the benchmark"
Akash Gupta
CEO, Air Hostess Academy