1st International Conference on Aviation Research – (ICAR) 2023

Transforming Aviation for a Sustainable and Digitalized Future:

1st International Conference on Aviation Research – (ICAR) 2023.

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) hosted the inaugural event, the 1st International Conference on Aviation Research (ICAR) 2023. This gathering took place with grandeur and enthusiasm at the Bandaranaike International Airport on August 23, 2023, with the participation of policymakers, industry experts, academia, international airlines, airline operators, related key stakeholders, and professionals from the aviation industry.

AASL identified the dire requirement to conduct research studies to support their high-level decision-making on many areas such as airport development, passenger facilitation, passenger purchasing behavior, airport operations, service quality, new service development, etc.

'Transforming Aviation for a Sustainable and Digitalized Future' is the theme of the conference that AASL plans to hold in December 2023 and the conference will serve as a global platform for aviation industry practitioners, academia, researchers, and experts to converge and share their intellectual contributions, addressing the most pressing contemporary aviation challenges. AASL is organizing this conference with the following objectives:

? To open and create a platform for industry experts to bring their expertise and share with all practitioners new innovative findings and solutions for the advancement of the aviation industry.

? To share the knowledge with academia and industry while making available knowledge accessible through published high-quality research for a knowledge-based society.

? To strengthen the network among the aviation, tourism, hospitality, transport, logistics, and air cargo industry professionals, researchers, and experts at both national and international levels.

? To encourage multidisciplinary dialogues between researchers and practitioners in conjunction with different research findings and implications to uplift the aviation industry in Sri Lanka.

The proposed conference is expected to cover the research areas such as Airport Operations and Management, Airline Management and Economics, Air Traffic Management and Control, Aviation Safety and Security, Sustainable Aviation and Environmental Impact, Emerging Technologies in Aviation, Aviation Education and Training, Aviation Economics and Policy, Tourism and Hospitality, and Aviation Human Factors and Ergonomics.

Addressing the gathering, Major Gen. (Rtd) G. A. Chandrasiri, Chairman of AASL, highlighted the strategic importance of organizing and creating this kind of dialogue and platform between the industry and academia in today's fast-paced world to stay at the forefront with new knowledge and transformation. Further, he highlighted the critical role played by research findings in high-level decision-making in crucial areas such as airport development, passenger facilitation, operations, service quality, and innovation.

Dr. Sumith de Silva, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications of AASL presented the objectives of the conference and invited the key stakeholders to collaborate with AASL to make this program a success, embracing transformation towards upliftment of the aviation industry for a sustainable and digitalized world.

Addressing the gathering,

Professor (Dr.) D.A.C. Suranga Silva (Conference Chair, Academic Affairs), Coordinator of Sustainable Tourism Unit at the University of Colombo, elaborated on the conference's objectives and the broader picture.

Prof. (Dr.) Dewasiri N. Jayantha, (Conference Chair, Industry and Professional Affairs) from the Faculty of Management Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, and Brand Ambassador, South Asia, for Emerald Publishing, enlightened the audience on the key milestones and processes that would guide the proceedings of the International Conference on

Aviation Research (ICAR) 2023.

The international perspective was embodied by Mr. Sundar Radhakrishnan, the Regional Director of Emerald Publishing, who shared a message that resonated with the conference's mission of knowledge dissemination. Ms. Roshani Masakorala, Manager Airport Operations at Etihad Airways, brought the perspective of the Airline Operators' Committee to the forefront, offering insights into the operational dynamics of the aviation industry.

Mr. Priantha Fernando, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, spoke about the synergy between aviation and tourism, underscoring the pivotal role aviation plays in nurturing the tourism sector. The grandeur of the event was magnificently amplified by the presence of the

Chief Guest, Hon. Nimal Siripala De Silva, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, who shared his perspectives on the industry's evolution and its alignment with sustainable and digitalized goals. Further, he invited academia to bring solutions to the pressing issues and challenges faced by the industry to meet future demand.

The 1st ICAR establishes an emergent platform wherein subject experts and industry professionals will bring and share their expertise with practitioners, policymakers, and implementing institutions while disseminating new innovative findings and solutions aimed at transforming the aviation industry for a sustainable and digitalized world.

Prospective scholars and aviation enthusiasts are invited to submit their abstracts to [email protected] , and they will be guided by a renowned expert panel comprising experienced academia from both national and international universities.

The distinguished dignitaries who attended the inaugural event were;

1. Chief Guest Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva – Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation

2. Mr. K. D. S. Ruwanchandra – Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation

3. Major General (Rtd.) G. A. Chandrasiri – Chairman Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Limited

4. Mr. A. Galketiya – Vice Chairman Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Limited

5. Mr. G. S. Withanage – Chairman - Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka

6. Mr. P.A. Jayakantha – Director General of Civil Aviation & Chief Executive Officer

7. Mr. Priantha Fernando – Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority

8. Mr. Mahen Kariyawasam – Past President - Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators

9. Prof. Dr. Suranga Silva, (Conference Chair- Academic Affairs) Professor in Tourism Economics and Coordinator of Sustainable Tourism Unit, Department of Economics, University of Colombo

10. Prof. Dr. Jayantha Dewasiri – Conference Chair- Industry and Professional Affairs, Professor in Finance, Department of Accountancy and Finance, Faculty of Management Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

11. Mr. Mangala Wijesekara – SriLankan Airlines Catering Limited

12. Mr. Senarath Hettiarachchi – Head of Airport Management AASL

13. Mr. Sudesh Rupasinghe – Country Manager- Kuwait Airways and also representing the - BOARD OF AIRLINE REPRESENTATIVES (BAR)

14. Mr. Srimath Fernando – (Sri Lanka Association of Airline Representatives)

15. Ms. Roshani Masakorala – Chairperson, Airline Operators’ Committee, Manager Airport Operations-Global Airports, Etihad Airways