Kochi: With the aim of developing Kerala into a global civil aviation hub, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the state's first-ever aviation summit in Kochi on Saturday. Speaking at the event, Vijayan said that the Kerala Aviation Summit 2025 would serve as a decisive step in shaping the state's long-term aviation roadmap.

The two-day event is jointly organised by Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at the Taj Cochin International Airport Hotel, Kochi. 

"Kerala Aviation Summit 2025 will serve as a platform to attract investment, foster innovation and lay out the State’s vision of becoming a global aviation and logistics hub. Kerala is actively promoting the aviation sector, and initiatives like seaplanes will boost the tourism sector, which accounts for 10 per cent of the state's GDP. There should be efforts to make air travel more inclusive and popular. CIAL, which has been a model for airports in the country, has a key role to play in achieving the state's vision of becoming a civil aviation hub," said Vijayan, who is also the chairman of CIAL.

Vijayan also inaugurated the new Airport Health Office (APHO) building at CIAL. He said that the APHO building stands as a critical addition to Kerala’s public health sector, enhancing disease surveillance, quarantine, and passenger safety at one of the busiest gateways of the state. With advanced quarantine facilities, vector surveillance labs, and provisions for rapid emergency response, the centre is designed to meet present challenges while ensuring preparedness for future public health threats.

The summit comes at a time when the state government has prepared a draft aviation policy, outlining strategies for infrastructure development, regional air connectivity, drone usage, and emerging technologies in air travel. With this policy framework in the background, the summit seeks to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, airline representatives, technology experts and investors to chart out Kerala’s aviation roadmap.

Over two days, the summit hosts eight panel discussions on critical themes such as drone integration, urban air mobility, and the role of seaplanes and helicopters in strengthening regional connectivity, with experts highlighting transformative opportunities in the sector. Sessions will also explore future-ready passenger services like biometric travel, AI-driven systems, and digital solutions, alongside discussions on cargo expansion, regional airport development, and renewable energy adoption. 

Industries Minister and CIAL Director P Rajeev presided over the inaugural event, which was attended by Revenue Minister K Rajan, Chief Secretary A Jayathilak, Benny Behanan MP, CIAL directors, deputy director general of health services Dr S Senthilnathan, FICCI senior director Manoj Mehta, and CIAL managing director S Suhas. The summit will conclude on Sunday.