Speakers on the infrastructure panel, titled: What are the challenges for India to achieve the right airport, ATM and ground services to support and deliver growth? include:

 Shri Vipin Kumar, Chairman, Airports Authority of India

 Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO, Delhi International Airport Ltd

 Radha Bhatia, Chair, The Bird Group

 Hari Marar, MD & CEO, Bangalore International Airport

The infrastructure session will be moderated by Chloe Greenbank, Airports Editor for Aviation India. “It is incredibly exciting to bring these organisations together to examine India’s hugely ambitious airport development plan as it seeks to bring connectivity to its citizens across the country,” she said.

“Over the last decade the number of airports in India has grown from 74 to 160 with plans to add another 50 by 2029, according to AAI,” added Greenbank.

“Equally significant is the creation of dual-airport systems in Mumbai and Delhi with the opening of Navi Mumbai International Airport and Noida International Airport bringing much-needed extra capacity to these cities.

“India is on a steep upward trajectory in air transport and all players from airports to ground service providers have a critical role to ensure they meet the demands of airline customers and travellers,” Greenbank concluded.

The 2nd edition of Aviation India & South Asia Summit & Exhibition 2025 is organised by Times Aerospace Events alongside joint venture partner, the MRO Association of India.

Under the event headline: “Shaping the pathway for Indian aviation”, the Summit promises to be one of the most significant gatherings of the commercial air transport community and ecosystem this year in India and builds upon the success of the launch summit in 2024 which attracted 582 delegates.

It is expected the 2025 edition will attract over 800 delegates and some 70 exhibitors.

Aviation India summit 2025 builds on the formula of the successful Times Aerospace Aviation Africa events, which began in Dubai in 2015 and have been held in Rwanda, Egypt, Nigeria, Ethiopia and South Africa.

An Order is a single, dynamic record of everything the traveller has purchased for their journey. It provides a real-time, consolidated view of all services, enabling the airline to better serve the traveler at every touchpoint – from booking and payment to fulfilment and servicing.

By adopting Order capabilities, Saudia is fast-tracking its ability to deliver more flexible offers, tailor-made pricing, and fully digital servicing. This transformation marks a foundational step in the airline’s broader ambition to redefine guest experience and operational agility through data-driven retailing. The milestone was achieved using Amadeus’ smart bridging capabilities, which translate traditional records from Saudia’s existing Amadeus Altéa Passenger Service System (PSS) into single order records in its new Amadeus Nevio environment.

Performing Smart bridging means Saudia can begin to operate with orders, accelerating the benefits of the airline retailing transformation in the new Amadeus Nevio environment for its guests while ensuring business continuity with existing traditional infrastructure.

Arved von zur Muehlen, chief commercial officer, Saudia said: “Saudia is committed to delivering the highest standard of guest experience and technology innovation is crucial to this objective. Moving to single Orders means we can gain a better understanding of our guests, what they’ve purchased from us, and our partners across the entire journey. Orders are the foundation for a more connected travel experience.”

Maher Koubaa, executive vice president, EMEA Travel unit, Amadeus added: “Saudia is one of the airlines leading the industry with its ambitious transformation program. Moving to Orders with smart bridging is an important milestone that lays the foundation for a whole host of new traveller-centric capabilities. We’re delighted to support Saudia’s continued innovation in airline retailing.”

The collaboration brings together solutions from flydocs to create value out of aircraft maintenance data for Air Astana in the form of digital records management, ensuring smooth integration with their maintenance and engineering systems. Air Astana will experience first-hand benefits of flydocs’ software package, including the integration with their M&E system-TRAX.

Andy Smith, chief commercial officer, flydocs said: “We are pleased to partner with Air Astana, as this collaboration marks a pivotal milestone in establishing our global footprint in Central Asia. With our core records management platform, we will fully support them in their digital transformation journey. Being selected as Air Astana’s preferred partner reinforces the tangible benefits of the flydocs DRM solution, which maximises asset value and enhances efficiency, compliance and operational excellence. We look forward to working closely with them to deliver innovative solutions and accelerate digital transformation.”

Pratap Shetty, director IT operations and engineering systems at Air Astana, said, “In our digital transformation journey of aligning technology with our business strategy, we’re excited to build on our existing commitment to excellence and customer-centric service with flydocs, a global leader in digital records and asset management. With their support of streamlined DRM software and holistic solutions, we look forward to digitising our aircraft maintenance records with improved data accuracy, real-time Information, and compliance management. As we continuously explore evolving technologies, this partnership is a testament to our ongoing commitment to enhancing passenger experience with improved operational efficiency and sustainable growth.”

This collaboration will see Eight Wings Aerospace deliver a comprehensive suite of services to SolitAir, including Technical Procurement, Repair Management, Logistics and Asset Management and Power-by-the-Hour (PBH) Operations Management. 

These critical technical and logistical functions from Eight Wings Aerospace will allow SolitAir to streamline its supply chain, enhance aircraft availability while focusing on its core mission of seamless cargo transportation. In addition, the cargo airline will strengthen its maintenance and operations infrastructure while optimising the lifecycle management of its growing Boeing 737-800 freighter fleet.

“At SolitAir, operational excellence is at the core of our mission to become the Global South’s preferred express cargo airline,” said Hamdi Osman, Founder & CEO of SolitAir. “Partnering with Eight Wings Aerospace gives us access to world-class technical and logistics expertise, which will be critical as we scale our operations. Their capabilities in PBH and asset management are aligned with our goals of maximising uptime, controlling costs and maintaining the highest service reliability.”

Luliia Zhuravel, managing director at Eight Wings Aerospace, said: “We are excited to join forces with SolitAir, a dynamic and forward-thinking cargo airline on a strong growth trajectory. At Eight Wings Aerospace, our support model is designed to deliver agility, real-time responsiveness, and dependable operational execution. This partnership is grounded in a shared vision of delivering high-performance, cost-effective solutions that enhance reliability and scalability. As SolitAir accelerates its expansion across the Global South and beyond, we are proud to stand alongside them as a trusted partner—supporting their operational and strategic ambitions every step of the way.”

SolitAir’s current fleet includes five Boeing 737-800 BCF freighters. These aircraft operate out of its 220,000-square-foot cutting-edge logistics facility at DWC. Two additional Boeing 737-800 BCF freighters will join the SolitAir fleet by end of August 2025. The cargo airline aims to have a fleet of 20 aircraft by 2027, facilitating its goal of connecting over 50 cities within a six-hour flight radius from Dubai.

dnata now operates six electric tractors – the EZTow model developed by TractEasy – at DWC. Traditionally, baggage is transported between the terminal and aircraft by human drivers, each operating under tight time constraints. The new autonomous vehicles streamline this process by towing up to four baggage containers (ULDs) at a time at speeds of up to 15 km/h, following pre-defined routes.

With these new vehicles now in service, and as they become integrated into operations, staff who previously drove baggage tractors can be reassigned to more complex, value-added tasks, supporting faster turnarounds. At the same time, autonomous driving reduces the risk of human error, making airside operations safer for everyone on the ramp. 

From controlled trials to live airport operations

The US$ 1.6 million project deployment begins with Level 3 autonomy, which involves minimal human oversight. This will upgrade to Level 4 autonomy, defined by full self-driving capabilities in controlled environments, in early 2026. 

The rollout follows over a year of collaboration between dnata, TractEasy, Dubai Airports and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The parties have been working together to create a new regulatory framework for autonomous vehicle operations in airside environments, which remain largely undefined at a global level. 

Beyond its day-to-day role, dnata will use this deployment as a testbed to trial and refine different operating models for autonomous ground handling. The aim is to identify the most effective approach for wider rollout – especially as DWC expands into what is set to become the world’s largest airport, with capacity for up to 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually. The insights gained will help shape how automation is built into the core of future airport operations at DWC.

A game-changer for mobility 

“This is an important step forward for both dnata and the wider aviation industry,” said Jaffar Dawood, Divisional Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations at dnata.

“While autonomous vehicles have largely been limited to trials, this deployment brings the technology into regular, day-to-day operations. As global travel continues to rebound and operational demands increase, automation could be key to building smarter, safer and more resilient infrastructure.”

“Autonomous GSE adoption is taking off,” said Rich Reno, TractEasy’s CEO. “TractEasy is proud and excited to partner with an industry leader like dnata and blaze a safe and efficient autonomous trail for others to follow.”

Designed for guests arriving in Dubai with pre-booked hotel, limousine, or tour operator services, this new solution replaces traditional guest paging with a technology-enabled experience.

With DXB Greet & Go, guests arriving at Terminal 3 can simply scan a unique QR code at the designated kiosk to view details of their assigned driver and vehicle, including parking location and car registration number. They are then guided by multilingual employees directly to their assigned driver and vehicle, ensuring a smooth and stress-free pickup.

Located in the Arrivals area of Terminal 3, DXB Greet & Go offers a secure, organised meeting point aligned with DXB’s service and security standards. The new process reduces congestion, improves the flow of guests, and creates a more professional welcome experience.

Essa Al Shamsi, senior vice president of terminal operations at Dubai Airports, said, "DXB Greet & Go is part of our continued efforts to make every step of the journey at DXB more efficient and enjoyable. By modernising the way guests are received in the Arrivals area, we are helping our partners deliver a smarter and more personalised welcome, while easing footfall and improving operational flow within the terminal."

The service is available to licensed hotels, limousine service providers, and tour operators in Dubai. Businesses can register their drivers and vehicles on the DXB Greet & Go portal and send guests a personalised QR code before their arrival. Upon scanning the code at DXB, guests are verified and assisted by on-ground staff to reach their designated pickup.

This will transform how aircraft systems are conceived, validated and built, substantially reducing the design cycle.

Unmanned aircraft systems are emerging in light of growing applications in defence, homeland security, agriculture, logistics and infrastructure monitoring, and are expected to reach an estimated 6.5 million units in 2030.  To contribute to India’s goal of becoming self-reliant in aerospace and defence, Raphe mPhibr needed a new approach to integrate technology and advanced scientific principles into its design process for the engineering of next-generation UAVs with superior strength-to-weight performance and increased payload capacity.

From metals to composites and electronics, Raphe mPhibr designs and builds everything under one roof. Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform significantly reduced its product development cycle while integrating physics and design for manufacturing within the design phase.  One of the most compelling use cases for the 3DEXPERIENCE platform at Raphe mPhibr was during the development of its engine. Traditionally a multi-year effort, the engine development process was shortened to just three months. The platform empowered the team to redesign parts optimised for 3D manufacturing.

Raphe mPhibr successfully created complex composite parts through an integrated design and simulation workflow.  It reduced the weight of its 4kW 2-stroke engine, which outperforms systems seven times its weight, by 700 grams (1.54 pounds), and made a strategic shift toward 3D-centric design thinking that led to more intuitive and efficient part development. The platform also enabled the team to push the boundaries of engineering by designing high-performance aerodynamic surfaces.

“Designing and manufacturing a drone is nothing less than designing and manufacturing a whole aircraft. The kind of drones we are manufacturing have 20,000 to 30,000 parts,” said Vikash Mishra, Chairman, Raphe mPhibr. “The 3DEXPERIENCE platform allows us to think in 3D – not in straight lines, circles or squares.  Biological systems that have evolved in nature – such as plants, anatomical structures and geological formations – are not made up of geometrical shapes. So, using this platform, we can design more organically and without limitations. It’s the best software to create our vision.”

“Raphe mPhibr’s adoption of our 3DEXPERIENCE platform shows how innovators are building tomorrow’s advanced air mobility solutions with virtual twin experiences. Its focus on in-house design sets a new benchmark for engineering excellence,” said David Ziegler, Vice President, Aerospace and Defence Industry, Dassault Systèmes.  “The 3DEXPERIENCE platform combines all aspects of design, simulation and collaboration in a single environment for innovation and operational efficiency.”

Raphe mPhibr recently announced it closed $100 million in funding in a round led by General Catalyst - the largest private funding round for an Indian aircraft manufacturer to date.

The airline is the first in South Africa to trial a free AI-powered travel assistant, designed to transform the customer experience through technology.

At this stage in development, Lindi’s capabilities include being able to book flights for a single passenger, change a name or seat, and provide certain travel information. Customers can access Lindi 24 hours a day, seven days a week via WhatsApp, ensuring more convenient, faster, and simpler assistance with their travel requirements,” said Kirby Gordon, chief marketing officer at FlySafair.

“Our ambition at FlySafair has always been to provide an affordable, hassle-free, and punctual flying experience,” said Gordon. “AI and Lindi provide an opportunity to offer what is effectively a free private travel assistant to each customer at scale. We are excited about building on her potential to enhance our customer services.”

“There are a number of AI assistants that have been created by airlines to help with general information about flying and destinations, but Lindi is the first that can assist customers with their bookings. As AI is increasingly integrated into our everyday life, we felt it was a good time to bring this innovative technology to our customers and enable them to benefit from AI practically. Lindi offers a seamless, efficient and human-like service that I am confident will set a new standard in the airline industry,” concludes Gordon.

Air Algérie, ATR’s largest customer in Africa, has been operating ATR aircraft since 2003, with previous acquisitions in 2008 and 2014 and currently operates 12 ATR 72-500s and 3 ATR 72-600s. As the airline gradually commits to reducing its carbon footprint, this new order highlights Air Algérie’s continued confidence in ATR’s efficient aircraft and proven technology.  

Deliveries of the new aircraft are scheduled between 2026 and 2028. Equipped with latest generation PW127XT engines, the 72-seats ATR 72-600s will be operated by a newly created regional subsidiary of Air Algérie – Domestic Airlines. It will be focused on enhancing connectivity across the nation, especially in the southern regions of the country – areas where air travel is essential for economic and social growth. This further sets ATR as the leader of regional connections and a powerful asset to bring people, businesses, and communities together.  

Hamza Benhamouda, chief executive officer of Air Algérie, commented: “The ATR 72-600 is the right aircraft to help us connect all regions of our country and support national development through reliable and efficient air transport. Its performance on short and thin routes makes it an essential part of our strategy while its fuel efficiency also supports our goal of reducing emissions and building more sustainable operations. By investing in this new fleet and the first ATR 72-600 simulator in Africa, we are also reinforcing our commitment to regional connectivity, operational excellence, and the future of regional aviation in Algeria.”  

Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, chief executive officer of ATR, added: “This order is a powerful endorsement of the ATR 72-600’s capabilities and the value it brings to foster regional connectivity. With its exceptionally low operating costs, fuel efficiency, and ability to perform reliably in diverse and demanding environments like the Algerian climate, the ATR 72-600 is uniquely suited for low-density routes and remote regions. These advantages are precisely why Air Algérie continues to place its trust in ATR after more than 20 years of partnership – our aircraft consistently delivers the performance and adaptability needed to connect communities and support sustainable regional growth.”  

In addition to the aircraft, the acquisition of the ATR 72-600 simulator – to be installed in Air Algérie’s existing training centre – will enhance pilot training capabilities and support the airline’s high standards in operational safety and maintenance excellence.

I-ASC Light is a support tool for airlines to improve safety performance by strengthening safety culture. The new module of I-ASC is an automated survey that evaluates nine key safety culture drivers, provides detailed quantitative and qualitative results by function and organisational level, as well as expert analysis to guide improvements.

Safety culture is the key focus of the IATA Safety Leadership Charter, to which Kenya Airways and 150 other airlines have made a formal commitment. A positive safety culture leads to better safety performance by supporting open reporting and learning, facilitating the effective management of safety risks and creating employee engagement based on trust.

“Safety is our priority. It is ingrained in everything we do and is fostered through a culture of continuous improvement. This is where I-ASC Light is such a valuable tool. We were able to pinpoint key areas for improvement in a clear and structured way. During World Safety Day in April, we shared the results of the I-ASC survey across the airline, with each member of the senior management team signing their own safety charters committing to safety initiatives in the IATA Safety Leadership Charter, which we signed in 2024,” said Allan Kilavuka, group managing director and CEO Kenya Airways.

“The accessibility of I-ASC Light helps airline management teams quickly identify where they should focus in fostering a robust safety culture. As the global pioneer in using the new version of I-ASC, Kenya Airways is enabling concrete actions to meet their commitment to the IATA Safety Leadership Charter and to build a stronger safety culture across the airline,” said Kamil Al-Awadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President Africa and Middle East.