Kerala Aviation Summit 2025

Key Themes & Sessions

Integrating Drones & Unmanned Vehicles into Airspace: Policy, Technology, and Safety Perspectives

As aerial mobility undergoes a rapid transformation, this session will delve into the future of airspace management in India—with a focus on integrating drones, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles into controlled and urban airspaces. The session will explore current policy developments, technological innovations, and safety imperatives required to support this next frontier in aviation.

  • Evolving DGCA guidelines, airspace classification, urban air mobility (UAM) policies, and the path toward harmonized integration of drones and eVTOLs.
  • Enabling technologies such as AI-driven navigation, UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management), digital twins, and charging infrastructure for eVTOLs.
  • Collision avoidance, geofencing, cyber-physical security, integration with traditional ATC systems, and incident response frameworks.
  • Use cases across logistics, healthcare, Media & Entertainment, Plantation, surveillance, and urban mobility; pilot projects and urban air taxi feasibility in Kerala.
  • Exploring Kerala’s potential to host experimental corridors, drone hubs, or eVTOL trials in partnership with academia, startups, and government.

Future of Short-Haul Aviation: Integrating Seaplanes and Helicopters into India’s Transport Network

India’s diverse geography and increasing demand for regional connectivity make short-haul aviation—including seaplanes and helicopters—a transformative solution to enhance last-mile air mobility. By integrating seaplanes and helicopters into Kerala's transport network, we could significantly boost tourism, improve connectivity, and stimulate economic growth.

This session will explore the potential of these short-haul aviation options to connect remote tourist destinations, enhance regional accessibility, and create new business opportunities for Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL).

Additionally, the session will examine the necessary policies, infrastructure, and commercial models needed to incorporate these modes into Kerala’s broader transportation ecosystem, positioning Kerala as a potential pioneer in this initiative.

  • Enabling guidelines for low-altitude air corridors, heliports, waterdromes, and integration into UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) and Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS).
  • Development of multi-modal terminals, floating jetties, vertiports, heliports, and water aerodromes with sustainable and cost-effective solutions.
  • Innovations in amphibious aircraft design, navigation systems in challenging terrain, weather tracking, and safety protocols for rotor and water-based aviation.
  • How short-haul aviation can drive high-value tourism, medical emergency services, island connectivity (e.g., Lakshadweep), and inter-city links in coastal and hilly regions.
  • Promoting helicopters/Sea planes with Pilgrim Centres and tourism  tourism sports
  • Highlighting opportunities to position Kerala as a national model for seaplane and helicopter integration, leveraging its coastline, backwaters, and existing infrastructure.

The Future of Air Travel: Achieving Contactless, Paperless, and Hassle-Free Passenger Experiences.

This session will explore transformative technologies and strategies aimed at enhancing the end-to-end passenger journey. From biometric boarding and digital identity to AI-enabled customer service, the session will bring together tech leaders, airport operators, and civil aviation authorities to chart the roadmap for next-gen air travel in India and beyond.

  • Biometric and facial recognition technologies
  • Paperless check-in and boarding processes
  • Digital wallets, mobile passports, and e-visas
  • Passenger data security and privacy frameworks
  • Role of AI and IoT in enhancing traveller experience

Positioning Kerala as a Global Destination: Integrating Tourism and Aviation for Sustainable Growth.

This session focuses on how Kerala can leverage its unique tourism offerings—eco-tourism, heritage, wellness, and backwaters—through strategic integration with aviation infrastructure and connectivity. Stakeholders from the tourism, airline, and hospitality sectors will co-create strategies for positioning Kerala as a global tourism-aviation hub.

  • Improving air connectivity to key tourist destinations
  • Joint marketing strategies between airports and tourism boards
  • Incentives for international airlines and charters
  • Sustainable tourism linked with aviation development
  • Role of regional airports in boosting tourist footfall

Transforming Air Cargo Logistics: Innovation, Infrastructure, and Future Opportunities.

This session will address the rapidly evolving air cargo sector, with a spotlight on infrastructure modernization, digital transformation, and Kerala’s potential as a regional cargo hub. Stakeholders from logistics companies, airlines, customs authorities, and cold-chain operators will explore collaborative solutions.

  • Expansion and modernization of cargo terminals
  • Digital platforms for cargo tracking and documentation
  • Perishable goods logistics and cold-chain integration
  • Multimodal connectivity and hinterland linkages
  • Promoting  aircargo exports of Kerala’s agricultural and seafood products.

Environmental Stewardship in Aviation: Green Initiatives Transforming Airport Ecosystems.

As global aviation aligns with net-zero goals, this session will highlight Kerala's and CIAL’s pioneering efforts in sustainable airport operations. The dialogue will include global and Indian best practices in renewable energy, carbon neutrality, waste management, and biodiversity conservation.

  • Renewable energy (solar, wind) in airport operations
  • Carbon neutrality and climate adaptation strategies
  • Green building certifications and energy-efficient infrastructure
  • Airport ecosystem management
  • Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and electric ground support equipment

Regulatory-Compliant Business Strategies: Enhancing Airport Profitability through Diversified Revenue Models.

This session will explore how airports in Kerala can build resilient and profitable operations by diversifying their revenue streams. It will examine international models for non-aero revenues, public-private partnerships, and commercial property development while ensuring full regulatory compliance.

  • Non-aeronautical revenue generation (retail, real estate, hospitality)
  • Duty-free  shops and commercial concessions strategy
  • Financial risk management and pricing strategy
  • Advertisement Boards in prime locations in the Airport and Outside the Airport.

MRO Ecosystem Development: Role of Airport Operators in Driving Aviation Self-Reliance.

This session emphasizes building a robust Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) ecosystem in Kerala, crucial for reducing India’s reliance on foreign MRO facilities. The focus will be on infrastructure, skill development, policy support, and the role of airport operators in enabling MRO investments.

  • Infrastructure requirements for world-class MRO facilities
  • Incentives for MRO operators and OEM partnerships
  • Workforce development and technical training
  • Role of airport land and facilities in MRO expansion
  • Integration with India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” aviation goals