Air Transport and Tourism: Interrelationship, Operations and Strategies

M.R. Dileep is a noted tourism academic, author and columnist. He has been an academic in travel and tourism for over two decades, working as Vice-Principal at Pazhassiraja College (University of Calicut-Kerala, India), and worked with the Ministry of Higher Education (CAS Salalah), Sultanate of Oman and as Head of Tourism at Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS). He has written a number of research publications, conference presentations and six books. His qualifications include MTA, MPhil, PhD and IATA Diplomas in Air Transport and Cargo.

Ajesh Kurien is an expert in Airport Ground Handling with over 15 years of experience in the area and is currently working as Operations Trainer for National Aviation Services (NAS), Kuwait, the fastest-growing aviation services provider in the Middle East, India, and Africa. He was involved in the design and development of the Passenger Ground Services Course for IATA. He holds an MTM (Master of Tourism Management) from Madurai Kamaraj University, Tamil Nadu, India; a Diploma in IATA air fares and ticketing; and has completed IATA Advanced Train the Trainer Course and IATA Instructional Techniques Course.