In a global industry where airlines must ensure their services run smoothly with passengers’ safety in mind, communication in more than just English has become advantageous. Employers in all sectors look for staff who speak languages other than English. Bilingual employees give their employers a competitive edge in their industry and often have better communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and multitasking skills.
In the airline industry, bilingualism impacts various aspects of operations, contributing to the success of your airline in a competitive market. This post discusses the role of language proficiency and the benefits of bilingual language skills among the flight crew.
An Overview of the Airline Industry
Airlines serve passengers worldwide who speak different languages. Pilots and air traffic controllers work together with complex technology and communication devices to execute the safe take-off, flying, and landing of aircraft. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requires flight crew to have a certain level of English language training.
Being proficient in English, including an aeronautical vocabulary, is necessary to help flight crew and other aviation professionals communicate effectively and understand each other during flights. Regardless of their nationality, the crew must be able to comprehend technical terms and phrases, procedure manuals, and different interfaces.
However, being bilingual has advantages. As most airlines facilitate operations in international markets, hiring bilingual workers allows them to decrease linguistic and cultural gaps while expanding their reach.
The Role of Language Proficiency in Aviation
According to an Administrative Sciences report published in 2021, second language skills are of above-average importance in aviation, especially for flight attendants. Many airlines are increasingly requiring bilingualism as part of their recruitment criteria. Within an international cabin crew, you may find people speaking different languages and dialects. Language proficiency in more than one language can have multiple benefits for an airline.
Improved Customer Service
Although the official operating language in aviation is English, some passengers may not be proficient. Hearing their first language creates a sense of comfort and familiarity, especially in times of stress. It makes them feel understood, valued, and more at ease during the flight. They can understand any instructions and feel confident in the crew’s ability to assist them. Furthermore, these passengers may want to convey their needs, concerns, and questions to the cabin crew without language barriers.
People want to arrive at their destinations safely, but they also want good customer service. Bilingual flight crew members communicate more effectively with passengers in their native language and may better understand cultural nuances and customs. Speaking more than one language means flight attendants can provide more personal assistance, enhancing customer experience and satisfaction.
Safety and Emergency Procedures
Effective communication also ensures passengers’ safety. During emergencies, bilingual crew members can clearly articulate the situation to passengers in various languages to swiftly and accurately implement safety and evacuation procedures. Clear instructions reduce the likelihood of miscommunication or misunderstandings that could lead to other safety hazards. Bilingual flight attendants can also assist passengers who speak the same languages in following safety protocols.
Bilingualism can also be helpful in medical emergencies. Flight attendants undergo intensive training sessions that cover a wide spectrum of subjects, including emergency procedure training, in-depth safety protocol instruction, and first aid certifications that involve practical simulations. Should a passenger require medical assistance, bilingual crew members can convey in their own language what they need without the challenge of language barriers or fumbling for the right term.
International Reach and Market Expansion
Bilingual employees play an important role both on airplanes and behind the scenes. When professionals speak two or more languages, airlines can negotiate business deals and partnerships with international companies or explore lesser-known markets due to better linguistic capabilities.
Language proficiency can facilitate a deeper understanding of culture and body language, helping build professional relationships. Bilingual professionals can communicate with other business partners and stakeholders in different regions, facilitating smoother interactions and negotiations.
The further your international reach, the more bilingual support you’ll need in other departments. Bilingual customer service representatives can lower the language barrier for customers who might not be as proficient in English. You could also expand your market by using bilingual marketers to build brand awareness in multiple languages.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
To comply with global aviation regulations, airlines must meet language proficiency requirements from safety authorities. Since English is the official language for aviation, bilingualism can help airlines adhere to national and international regulations.
For example, international airlines usually carry out onboard safety demonstrations in English and their home country’s language. While airlines regulated by Canada’s Official Languages Act of 1969 must provide services in English and French, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) allows individual airlines to choose which additional languages they’ll use.
Bilingual aviation professionals can interpret and comprehend legal documents, regulations, and guidelines in two languages and ensure full compliance with any standards. They also reduce the cost of airlines hiring interpretation or translation services.
How to Navigate Communication Challenges in the Airline Industry
Airlines can overcome communication challenges in their industry by investing in language training, using translation and interpretation services, hiring bilingual staff, and using technology. For example, in-flight entertainment systems with multilingual options make passengers feel welcome and at ease during their flight.
Professional translation service providers can translate critical documents and materials to ensure airlines communicate accurate, clear information. Providing language training programs can enhance your employees’ communication skills in diverse linguistic environments. However, hiring bilingual staff members from the beginning can facilitate communication with others immediately.
How to Navigate Communication Challenges in the Airline Industry
The benefits of bilingualism in fostering a safer, more inclusive, and passenger-oriented aviation industry are undeniable. Speaking more than one language is a highly marketable skill in any career. Language Testing International® (LTI) delivers ACTFL proficiency tests and ACTFL certifications in listening, reading, speaking, and writing to people who wish to certify specific language skills.
LTI partners with airlines to develop tailored language training and assessment programs to achieve global communication standards. Comprehensive language proficiency tests can help ensure safety, compliance, and service excellence. Hire proficient bilingual candidates with ACTFL tests for organizations
