An adventurer's journey through aviation
By Lu Feiran |
June 15, 2013, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SINCE starting out cooking in-flight meals, Sandeep Bahl has followed an aviation journey that has taken in finance, sales and marketing, in-flight services, operations and now overseeing Air New Zealand's business in Asia.
Sandeep Bahl, Asia regional general manager for Air New Zealand, has discovered the recipe for a successful career in the aviation industry.
The 50-year-old Indian has worked for airlines for 25 years, holding key roles in finance, sales and marketing, in-flight services and operations for a number of major carriers in India, Australia, Japan and China.
Bahl joined Air New Zealand last March, and oversees the carrier's business on routes including Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Osaka.
Before that, Bahl was director for Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland with Delta Airlines and with Northwest, which merged with Delta in 2008.
He was instrumental in driving sustainable profit growth, establishing strong industry and regulatory relationships and ensuring a seamless merger of the airlines.
"Every airline I've worked for has had its own unique advantages," he said. "While they may operate from the same airports, the key point is the company culture that attracts customers."
This wide-spanning career had an unlikely beginning, as Bahl at first worked as a chef after graduating from the Institute of Hotel Management in New Delhi.
He had always wanted to travel, so decided to work in aviation.
"I switched to the airline industry in 1988, cooking airline meals for Air India," Bahl said.
"From there, I moved to different fields, such as finance and marketing, and worked for different companies."
Last year, Bahl chose Air New Zealand because he believes there are bigger opportunities for him.
"The company is smaller than the one I worked for before, but I have greater responsibilities," he said. "I have to take care of the business in the whole of Asia, all the way from Japan to the Middle East. I love doing something to promote New Zealand."
Air New Zealand established a presence on the Chinese mainland in 2006. Now Shanghai has joined Hong Kong as its gateways in China.
In January, the New Zealand carrier increased its flights between Shanghai and Auckland to a daily service.
Bahl says he doesn't see Chinese airlines operating the same route as threats, as have the same goal of taking more Chinese people to New Zealand.
"Our ultimate goal is to promote New Zealand to Chinese people - its culture, travel opportunities and resources - and we are working together on this," he said.
He said Chinese customers are very adventurous and typically love to try something new. "When Chinese people go to New Zealand, they try sky-diving, bungee jumping and other adventurous things," he said.
"They make the best use of their time in the country," added Bahl.
Daredevil Chinese customers and New Zealand, with its stunning scenery and outdoors activities, provide a good fit. Eager to maximize the potential, the airline has launched special services for Chinese customers.
Bahl said Air New Zealand has recruited nearly 100 Shanghai-based cabin crew. They are trained in New Zealand, learning about New Zealand culture as well being trained in its service standard, while at the same time they speak Chinese and understand Chinese people's habits and needs.
In addition, the company has just launched a reservations hotline for Chinese customers, and next year will invest 500 million yuan (US$81.5 million) to upgrade its Boeing-777 fleet to operate the route between Shanghai and Auckland. "Our service, which is always full of new ideas, is globally renowned," said Bahl.
Joining Air New Zealand last year brought Bahl not only a new chapter in his career, but also a move to Shanghai. While he has been living in China for 10 years, before joining the company, he had mainly lived in Beijing.
Comparing the two, Bahl says Shanghai and Beijing are not only two cities, but seem to belong to two countries.
"The cities have quite different architecture and characteristics," he said. "Beijing has the essence of history, while Shanghai is more vibrant and dynamic. I love the differences."
The airline manager says he has grown alongside China, witnessing the changes over the past decade.
"I still remember when I came to China, the first big issue was the SARS virus and it was a rather tough time," he said. "But over the years, I've seen so many things, including the growth of Chinese aviation and tourism.
"When I first came to the country, there were fewer than 10 million Chinese traveling overseas, but now the number has risen to around 82 million."
Bahl said his career has meant moving around a lot, and his family also move with him, but don't complain, indeed, they've settled into life in Shanghai. "My daughter grew up in Beijing and now she's studying in Shanghai, and everything's going well," he said.
Blowin' in the wind
Q: What is your favorite holiday destination?
I actually have many favorites, which I love to go to according different moods. And since I joined Air New Zealand last year, I've started to explore the country and it has become one of my favorites.
Q: What is ideal airline or hotel service for customers?
Ideal service should be what comes from one's heart, then customers don't feel it's artificial. It's something natural, unbiased and makes customers feel happy and relaxed.
Q: What is your favorite way of traveling?
It depends on where I go. But as someone who has been in the aviation industry for more than 20 years, air travel is certainly one of my favorites.
Q: What is your favorite travel destination in China?
I would start with Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan Province, Hailar in Inner Mongolia and Wuzhen water town, near Shanghai in Zhejiang Province - plus many others.
Q: What is your life motto?
Enjoy what you do.
Sandeep Bahl, Asia regional general manager for Air New Zealand, has discovered the recipe for a successful career in the aviation industry.
The 50-year-old Indian has worked for airlines for 25 years, holding key roles in finance, sales and marketing, in-flight services and operations for a number of major carriers in India, Australia, Japan and China.
Bahl joined Air New Zealand last March, and oversees the carrier's business on routes including Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Osaka.
Before that, Bahl was director for Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland with Delta Airlines and with Northwest, which merged with Delta in 2008.
He was instrumental in driving sustainable profit growth, establishing strong industry and regulatory relationships and ensuring a seamless merger of the airlines.
"Every airline I've worked for has had its own unique advantages," he said. "While they may operate from the same airports, the key point is the company culture that attracts customers."
This wide-spanning career had an unlikely beginning, as Bahl at first worked as a chef after graduating from the Institute of Hotel Management in New Delhi.
He had always wanted to travel, so decided to work in aviation.
"I switched to the airline industry in 1988, cooking airline meals for Air India," Bahl said.
"From there, I moved to different fields, such as finance and marketing, and worked for different companies."
Last year, Bahl chose Air New Zealand because he believes there are bigger opportunities for him.
"The company is smaller than the one I worked for before, but I have greater responsibilities," he said. "I have to take care of the business in the whole of Asia, all the way from Japan to the Middle East. I love doing something to promote New Zealand."
Air New Zealand established a presence on the Chinese mainland in 2006. Now Shanghai has joined Hong Kong as its gateways in China.
In January, the New Zealand carrier increased its flights between Shanghai and Auckland to a daily service.
Bahl says he doesn't see Chinese airlines operating the same route as threats, as have the same goal of taking more Chinese people to New Zealand.
"Our ultimate goal is to promote New Zealand to Chinese people - its culture, travel opportunities and resources - and we are working together on this," he said.
He said Chinese customers are very adventurous and typically love to try something new. "When Chinese people go to New Zealand, they try sky-diving, bungee jumping and other adventurous things," he said.
"They make the best use of their time in the country," added Bahl.
Daredevil Chinese customers and New Zealand, with its stunning scenery and outdoors activities, provide a good fit. Eager to maximize the potential, the airline has launched special services for Chinese customers.
Bahl said Air New Zealand has recruited nearly 100 Shanghai-based cabin crew. They are trained in New Zealand, learning about New Zealand culture as well being trained in its service standard, while at the same time they speak Chinese and understand Chinese people's habits and needs.
In addition, the company has just launched a reservations hotline for Chinese customers, and next year will invest 500 million yuan (US$81.5 million) to upgrade its Boeing-777 fleet to operate the route between Shanghai and Auckland. "Our service, which is always full of new ideas, is globally renowned," said Bahl.
Joining Air New Zealand last year brought Bahl not only a new chapter in his career, but also a move to Shanghai. While he has been living in China for 10 years, before joining the company, he had mainly lived in Beijing.
Comparing the two, Bahl says Shanghai and Beijing are not only two cities, but seem to belong to two countries.
"The cities have quite different architecture and characteristics," he said. "Beijing has the essence of history, while Shanghai is more vibrant and dynamic. I love the differences."
The airline manager says he has grown alongside China, witnessing the changes over the past decade.
"I still remember when I came to China, the first big issue was the SARS virus and it was a rather tough time," he said. "But over the years, I've seen so many things, including the growth of Chinese aviation and tourism.
"When I first came to the country, there were fewer than 10 million Chinese traveling overseas, but now the number has risen to around 82 million."
Bahl said his career has meant moving around a lot, and his family also move with him, but don't complain, indeed, they've settled into life in Shanghai. "My daughter grew up in Beijing and now she's studying in Shanghai, and everything's going well," he said.
Blowin' in the wind
Q: What is your favorite holiday destination?
I actually have many favorites, which I love to go to according different moods. And since I joined Air New Zealand last year, I've started to explore the country and it has become one of my favorites.
Q: What is ideal airline or hotel service for customers?
Ideal service should be what comes from one's heart, then customers don't feel it's artificial. It's something natural, unbiased and makes customers feel happy and relaxed.
Q: What is your favorite way of traveling?
It depends on where I go. But as someone who has been in the aviation industry for more than 20 years, air travel is certainly one of my favorites.
Q: What is your favorite travel destination in China?
I would start with Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan Province, Hailar in Inner Mongolia and Wuzhen water town, near Shanghai in Zhejiang Province - plus many others.
Q: What is your life motto?
Enjoy what you do.
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