Kochi: In a move to position Kerala as a major hub for the nation’s burgeoning aviation sector, Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), in collaboration with FICCI, is set to host the first-ever Kerala Aviation Summit on August 23 & 24 to attract investment and foster innovation in the rapidly growing industry. Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, will inaugurate the summit.
The conference will feature in-depth discussions on a wide range of topics critical to the future of aviation. The sessions will cover policy formulation, infrastructure development, and strategic changes within the sector. Key discussions will include the use of drones and unmanned vehicles, exploring the potential of urban air taxis, drone usage policies, and safety guidelines. Another session will focus on seaplanes and helicopters, examining their role in regional connectivity and last-mile air transport. This will include discussions on the possibilities of multimodal terminals, floating jetties, vertiports, heliports, and water aerodromes, with an emphasis on connecting pilgrimage and tourist destinations.
Future-focused topics will also be on the agenda, with a panel dedicated to the evolution of air travel. This discussion will delve into advancements such as biometrics, paperless check-in, digital wallets, and AI-based passenger services. The summit will also address the commercial side of the industry, with sessions on diversifying revenue streams, increasing air connectivity to major tourist centres, and the potential of regional airports. Discussions will further explore the development of cargo terminals, the use of digital platforms for cargo tracking, and the integration of renewable energy into airport ecosystem management.
On the second day, sessions will continue to explore commercial opportunities, including a discussion on the intersection of tourism and aviation. A panel will also focus on the future of air cargo logistics and innovation in the field.
The summit’s overarching objective is to leverage Kerala’s existing aviation facilities and investment opportunities to transform the state into a global and regional aviation and logistics hub. It also aims to raise public and industry awareness about key emerging sectors, including drones, digital air travel, and the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) ecosystem.