A New Chapter in the Skies
Narita, Chiba — After pausing her future plans during the COVID-19 pandemic, an Indian pilot has found a new path in Japan. Simren Ghumman, a 53-year-old Indian national, now flies for Jetstar Japan Co., connecting various domestic and international locations. Based primarily at Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture, she operates 18 domestic routes and five international routes, including Taipei and Manila.
Her flights require constant attention to instruments and weather conditions, with a focus on safety, fuel economy, punctuality, and passenger comfort. The work is filled with tension, but feedback from passengers, such as “It was a good flight” or “The landing was great,” gives her encouragement. Ghumman, who calls the cockpit her “second home,” moved to Narita nearly three years ago due to the pandemic.
A Journey of Dedication and Determination
Ghumman was born in Chandigarh, a city in northern India. Her father, Jagjit, was an Air Force fighter pilot, and her mother was a teacher. Growing up, she moved frequently due to her father’s base transfers. She recalls learning to enjoy meeting people from different regions, each with their own etiquette, discipline, climates, and cultures. This experience had a lasting impact on her later life.
Although she dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot, the Indian Air Force did not recruit women at the time. She then aimed for a civilian role. After graduating from university with a degree in commerce, she studied at a training institute for two years and earned her pilot’s license in 1994. She remembers studying intensely and being proud when her father hugged her and said, “Well done, daughter,” at the results announcement.
A Major Shift Due to the Pandemic
After building a career with airlines in India and Sri Lanka, the COVID-19 pandemic drastically reduced aviation demand, leading to layoffs and a complete change in her situation. Ghumman’s plans to buy a house, obtain qualifications to fly the A330 aircraft, and operate on routes to Paris and London were all put on hold. “All the plans I had in mind ended up being just dreams,” she reflected.
Despite this setback, she never gave up on flying. Ghumman decided to take on a new challenge in a country unfamiliar to her — Japan. Applying for a position with Jetstar Japan, her skills and diligence, based on her experience, were recognized, leading to her hiring. She moved to Narita in March 2023 to start her new role.
Adapting to Life in Japan
Upon arriving in Japan, Ghumman was surprised by the difference in color perception. People’s clothing tends to be mostly subdued, unlike in India, where vibrant colors like red, yellow, and blue are common. While Japanese people differ from the sociable nature of Indians, she feels, “They are hardworking, meticulous, polite and kind. It’s wonderful that they are considerate enough to avoid causing trouble to those around them.” She was also impressed by the punctuality of trains.
Ghumman gradually adapted to life and work in Japan. On return flights, seeing the Choshi Peninsula jutting into the Pacific Ocean makes her feel a sense of joy, realizing she was back home. Her Japanese language skills have grown from knowing only five words like “thank you” to understanding more than 1,000, and she continues to study. Strolling through Naritasan Park is her favorite way to refresh, and she travels across Japan with her husband, who visits from India, capturing numerous photos on her smartphone.
Embracing the Unexpected
The pandemic disrupted her envisioned future and unexpectedly brought her to Japan, but she now appreciates the “wonderful surprise” and is grateful for the serendipity. Ghumman has come to think, “Sometimes the unexpected happens in life, and things don’t go as planned. At times like that, I’ve come to think that it’s OK to just go with the flow, rather than getting too hung up on goals and objectives.”
There may come a day when Ghumman lives in another country. “That’s why I want to enjoy the time I have, the present moment I’m in Japan,” she says.
