In the pilot's seat at Eva Air

Aviation is a fascinating industry and potential future employer for some of our students, and still during their studies they have opportunities to get up close and see behind-the-scenes. MSc student and Modul Career Officer Ioana Benea recounts a recent visit to Vienna’s Schwechat International Airport:

‘’On the 7th of November 2014, seven engaged students from Modul University took part to a wonderful trip to Vienna International Airport to visit an aircraft of the Taiwanese airline Eva Air. The participation would not have been possible without the help of the Skål International.

With approximately 400 clubs around 87 countries of the world and 16.600 members worldwide, Skål is a leading networking organization formed of tourism and hospitality managers and is active since 1932. Their motto is “Doing Business among Friends”. Young Skål, “The Future of Skål” is a special membership for tourism students or young professionals, which offers them the opportunity to get in touch with the other members, to participate to workshops organized by Skål and to encourage and assist in the tourism education.

Eva Air is a Taiwanese airline founded in 1989, and as Mr. Edward Ho, the General Manager of Eva Air for Austria, Central Europe and Eastern Europe is a Member of Skål, he sponsored the excursion and the visit of the Airbus A330-200, part of their fleet.

We all met at Landstrasse at the City Airport Train, which we took to the airport and was also sponsored by Skål International. After a long walk and ride through the airport premises we finally arrived to the airplane and we could touch it and take as many pictures as we want with it. The best part of it was being able to board on a plane without actually flying anywhere and to see the cockpit of the aircraft. One of the members of Skål who joined the excursion, Mr. Reinhard Blumauer, owner of the Austria Classic Hotel Vienna, was a pilot for 35 years and gave us insight into how an airplane works and how it is to become and be a pilot.

After the tour we could enjoy some snacks and drinks in the Business Class and network a bit. We were transported back to the airport and decided to go to the visitor’s terrace of Vienna International Airport to have a last glance of some departing or arriving aircrafts before heading back to Vienna.’’

We would like to thank Modul Career Center, Skål International and Eva Air for making this wonderful experience possible. 

Check out the Facebook album for more pictures!