By: Maria Hannah Katrina J. Lustria, BA COMM- 4 OJT

Some participants during the webinar that was conducted last March 12, 2022.

The College of Hospitality Management of the Central Philippine University in partnership with OMNI Aviation conducted a webinar on Airline and Aviation beyond the Pandemic last Saturday, March 12, 2022. The attendees of the webinar were estimated to not more than 195 CHM 3rd year students who are preparing for their on the job training (OJT).

OMNI AVIATION is the official training partner of CHM for training in Aviation, Cabin crew, Ground handling, and IATA certification courses. The webinar started as Professor Ma. Medalla P. Baliao, Dean of the College of Hospitality Management gave an opening remarks to the participants. The guest speaker is Ms. Christine Joy Reid, a graduate of BS Tourism at the University of Santo Tomas. Ms. Christine Joy is an Ilongga whose father is from Dumangas, Iloilo. On the year 2003-2012, Ms. Reid both worked as an on ground and in-flight attendant in Qatar Airways. She started working in the OMNI Aviation on the year 2017.

Adjustments such as wearing of face masks and other necessary health measures to prevent COVID were discussed to inform the attendees the “new normal” in the aviation or airline industry. Ms. Reid also discussed how the airline industry was affected during the spike of the pandemic, such as the retrenchment of airline employees or crew members and decreasing of salaries leading to the increase of unemployed individuals in time of the pandemic. But despite of the disadvantage brought by the pandemic to the aviation industry, still the number of students who wished to work in this field of work never ceases.

Universal precaution kits and other basic health necessities needed on board were also highlighted in lieu of the effect brought about by the pandemic since passengers on board are more conscious nowadays than the pre pandemic time. Disinfections and regular screening of cabin crew members and staff is also a must in the airline industry nowadays to ensure the safety of their passengers and themselves.

Ms. Reid also brought up the special skills, trainings and workshops of the OMNI Aviation to aspiring and dedicated learners who dreams to fly and seek career opportunities in the airline industry. Students from the CHM department were actively participating as they enthusiastically ask questions for them to learn and prepare for the profession they are about to achieve. Fly and soar high students!