IIMB & TBS Host 8th Edition of Aviation and Aerospace Conference
Over 300 senior executives from the aerospace and aviation sector gathered for the 2024 edition of the International Conference on the Future of Aviation and Aerospace, hosted by IIM Bangalore and Toulouse Business School France. The event featured keynote addresses and six expert panels discussing a wide range of topics, including maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), drones, and talent management in aviation.
The first panel, titled 'The Impact of Macroeconomic Environment on Aviation and Aerospace', featured Prof. Chetan Subramanian, RBI Chair Professor of Economics at IIMB, Dr. Srinivasan Dwarakanath, Former CEO & MD of Airbus India Operations, and Kallappa Pattada, Executive Director of Boeing India Engineering. Prof. Subramanian highlighted several challenges facing the sector, such as the ongoing effects of COVID-19, inflation driven by supply shortages, geopolitical issues, and regulatory hurdles. Dr. Dwarakanath emphasized the impact of black swan events like COVID-19 and other geopolitical challenges on the industry's growth.
The panel on the 'Future of Global and Local Aviation Market' featured Dr. Dwarakanath and Sunil Bhaskaran, Director of Air India Aviation Academy, moderated by Prof. S. Raghunath. Bhaskaran discussed key trends shaping the industry, including customer-centricity, data analytics, sustainability, distribution capability, fleet and network management, alliances and partnerships, and talent development.
Amber Dubey, Senior Advisor at McKinsey & Company and former Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Civil Aviation, spoke on the rapid growth of the drone sector, particularly in agriculture. Dubey noted the potential benefits of drones, such as delivering medicines to remote areas, but also highlighted security and tracking challenges.
The 'Fly Net Zero by 2050' panel featured Chris Krishnaswamy, Systems Engineering Principal at Digital 145, Sasikumar Muthusamy, Senior Director of Global Engineering at Collins Aerospace, and Uma Maheshwar, Chief Consulting Engineer at GE Aerospace Engineering India. The panelists discussed the challenges disruptive technologies face in achieving net zero goals.
Two additional panel discussions covered topics such as 'High Stakes in the Sky' and 'The Era of the Evolved Employee', examining the industry's evolution and the need for adaptability in an ever-changing environment.
Dignitaries at the event included Consul General of France Thierry Berthelot, Prof. Christopher Benaroya of Toulouse Business School France, and top leadership from IIMB. The conference showcased the industry's ongoing efforts to navigate complex challenges while embracing innovative solutions for a sustainable and efficient future.
