The Presidency School of Commerce, in association with the IIAAM Foundation, organised a guest lecture on “Crisis Handling in the Aviation Industry” on 26 March 2026 at Seminar Hall 03, E Block. The session, held from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm, witnessed active participation from students of the BBA Aviation programme.

 

The session featured Dr K. J. Devasia, Vice President of Bangalore International Airport Limited, as the Chief Guest. He delivered an insightful lecture on the complexities of crisis management in the aviation sector, drawing on his extensive industry experience.

 

Event Coordination
The event was conducted under the guidance of Dr Padmavathi, Associate Dean, with the support of:

• Dr Poornima Karthikeyan (Head of Department In-charge)
• Dr Saba Inamdar (Head of Department In-charge)
• Dr Samiya Mubeen (BBA Aviation Programme Coordinator)
• Dr Lizy Kalaga and Mr Rakshith S. (Faculty Coordinators)

Their coordinated efforts ensured the smooth planning and successful execution of the session.

 

Session Highlights
The session commenced with a formal introduction and profile presentation of the Chief Guest by Ms Meena Gupta, setting the stage for an engaging and insightful discussion.

 

Dr Devasia elaborated on key dimensions of crisis management in aviation, including:

• Risk identification and emergency preparedness
• Crisis response strategies and recovery mechanisms
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• The role of technology and data analytics

He enriched the session with real-world case examples from airport operations, helping students understand how aviation authorities manage situations such as technical failures, weather disruptions, security threats, and passenger handling challenges.

 

Leadership and Decision-Making
A major highlight of the session was the emphasis on leadership under pressure. Dr Devasia explained the importance of:

• Effective communication
• Team coordination
• Quick and informed decision-making

He also highlighted the role of regulatory compliance, collaboration with international aviation bodies, and the need for continuous training and simulation exercises to ensure crisis readiness.

 

Student Engagement and Learning Outcomes
The session was highly interactive, encouraging students to participate in scenario-based discussions and queries. This provided deeper insights into:

• Decision-making under uncertainty
• Multi-stakeholder coordination
• Ethical responsibilities in crisis situations

Students also gained clarity on career opportunities in aviation management, particularly in operations, safety management, and emergency planning.

 

The session concluded with Dr Padmavathi presenting a token of appreciation to Dr K. J. Devasia, acknowledging his valuable contribution.

 

Overall, the guest lecture was a highly enriching and impactful session, successfully bridging the gap between academic learning and industry practices. It enhanced students’ analytical, problem-solving, and practical understanding, while strengthening industry–academia collaboration in the field of aviation management.