AAI launches SkyFit app to help aviation professionals tackle occupational stress

September 28, 2019: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has launched the SkyFit mobile application to address the challenges brought about by occupational stress in aviation personnel. The app is available on Google Play Store and iOS.

SkyFit is devised to address the occupational stress of aviation personnel like air traffic controllers, pilots, cabin crews, ground handlers, and even air passengers.

Erratic shift timings and trans-meridian flight results in asynchrony between aviation personnel’s daily rhythms. This lack of synchrony results in shift-lag syndrome (due to changes in work schedule) and jet-lag syndrome (due to trans-meridian flights) severely affects the body clock specifically airline pilots, cabin crew, air traffic controllers and air passengers.

Developed by #AAI, SkyFit focuses on solving the occupational stress faced by aviation professionals like pilots ATCOs, cabin crew and also passengers through simple breathing techniques made in consultation with Yogic experts & senior medical consultants. pic.twitter.com/00CqrwI509

— Airports Authority of India (@AAI_Official) September 27, 2019

The occupational stress due to cognitive work load of the personnel, especially in aviation can be a challenge for the safe aviation. Long term exposure to the stress is posing severe health issues like hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, diabetes, peptic ulcers and psychoneurotic disorders for the people employed in aviation.

AAI has developed SkyFit, in consultation with Dr Ashok Bhatt, medical consultant from AGP Breath Works and in coordination with experts who have practiced these ancient techniques from yogic traditions, for decades and have found encouraging results in managing the stress of the aviation personnel, by just improving the way we breathe.

Hardeep Singh Puri, Union minister of state for civil aviation launched the SkyFit eBook during the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) 40th triennial session & general assembly that coincides with the celebrations to commemorate 75th anniversary of the Chicago Convention.

.@HardeepSPuri, Hon. Minister of Civil Aviation launched SkyFit eBook in the presence of Secy, @MoCA_GoI, @DGCAIndia, DG BCAS, Chairman #AAI , Senior ICAO officials & 1200 delegates from 193 countriesduring during @icao's 40th Triennial Assembly at Montreal, Canada. pic.twitter.com/FWjsktDX85

— Airports Authority of India (@AAI_Official) September 27, 2019

Also present at the launch were Pradeep Singh Kharola, secretary, ministry of civil aviation; Arun Kumar, director general, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA); Rakesh Asthana, Director General, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS); Anuj Aggarwal, chairman, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Vineet Gulati, member (ANS), AAI; senior ICAO officials and 1200 delegates from around 193 countries.