Every day, thousands of aircraft cross the skies carrying millions of passengers safely around the world. To most travellers, aviation appears simple. Passengers board the aircraft, pilots take control, and within minutes the aircraft climbs into the sky.

But behind every safe flight lies a powerful operational system working quietly in the background.

Long before an aircraft departs, aviation professionals are already at work analysing weather conditions, planning routes, calculating fuel requirements, reviewing airspace restrictions, coordinating crew schedules, and ensuring that the aircraft is operationally ready for departure. These professionals may not be visible to passengers, but their work forms the backbone of airline operations.

My own journey in aviation began more than three decades ago with Air India, where I started as a Reservation and Customer Service Trainee. That early experience introduced me to the dynamic environment of airline operations and the many departments that work together to keep flights moving safely.

Over time, my career moved deeper into the operational side of aviation. I progressed through roles such as Assistant Flight Dispatcher, Flight Dispatcher, and Senior Dispatcher, where I was involved in flight planning, fuel calculations, weather analysis, and operational coordination with pilots and airline departments.

Later, I moved into the Operations Control Centre (OCC) environment, serving as OCC Controller and Senior Controller, monitoring flights in real time and managing operational disruptions that affect airline operations.

My professional journey eventually expanded into leadership roles including Manager – Business Integration and Flight Operations, OCC Manager, Senior Vice President – Operations, and Chief Executive Officer of SunAir.

More recently, I have been involved in the development of Alhind Air, serving as Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager for the start-up airline initiative emerging from Kerala, India.

The vision behind Alhind Air is to build a professionally structured airline connecting Kerala with regional and international destinations while maintaining strong operational discipline and safety standards.

Like many aviation start-ups around the world today, the project is currently navigating one of the industry’s biggest challenges: global aircraft availability. Due to supply chain disruptions, manufacturing delays, and strong post-pandemic demand, aircraft leasing markets worldwide are experiencing a shortage of available aircraft.

As a result, several airline projects globally, including Alhind Air, are progressing through operational planning and regulatory preparation while waiting for suitable aircraft availability.

Real Operational Experience
Throughout my aviation career, I have had the opportunity to work across several aviation organisations including Air India, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia, SalamAir, SunAir, FitsAir, and Alhind Air. This experience provided exposure to airline operations across India, the Middle East, and international aviation environments.

During these years, I was involved in managing or coordinating responses to many operational challenges that airlines face.

These included situations such as aircraft hijack crisis coordination, pilot medical emergencies and incapacitation events, engine fire incidents and technical emergencies, landing gear operational issues, and numerous operational diversions caused by weather, technical issues, or airspace restrictions. I was also involved in managing aircraft-on-ground technical events and crew injuries affecting operational readiness.

One of the most challenging periods for global aviation was the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, I was involved in coordinating large-scale charter operations supporting passenger movements during global travel restrictions. This included operational involvement in more than 680 charter flights.

These experiences reinforced an important lesson: aviation safety depends heavily on strong operational coordination and well-trained professionals working behind the scenes.

Building Airline Operational Systems
In addition to operational management, I have also been involved in developing and implementing airline operational systems designed to strengthen efficiency and coordination.

These initiatives included rebuilding airline operational structures with modern aviation systems, developing a Passenger Service System framework for Alhind Air, establishing Operations Control Centre systems for real-time flight monitoring, developing crew scheduling systems aligned with flight duty time limitations, supporting maintenance coordination systems, and building structured airline operational reporting systems.

These systems form the technological backbone that supports airline operational decision-making.

The Creation of RICAS
During this journey, one observation became increasingly clear.

While airlines depend heavily on professionals such as flight dispatchers, OCC controllers, crew planners, safety specialists, and operational coordinators, very few training institutions focus on preparing students for these roles.

Most aviation institutes concentrate on visible careers such as pilot training or cabin crew programs, leaving a major gap in education related to the operational backbone of airline operations.

This realization led to the establishment of RICAS – Reena’s Institute of Core Aviation Studies, located near Cochin International Airport at Alhind Air Building.

RICAS was created to introduce students to the operational ecosystem that supports every airline flight.

Core Training Programs at RICAS
RICAS focuses on training students in the core operational functions of airline operations.

Flight Dispatch and Flight Planning
Students learn how airlines prepare operational flight plans, calculate fuel requirements, analyse weather conditions, review airspace restrictions, and monitor flights during operations.

Operations Control Centre (OCC) Operations
Students are introduced to real-time flight monitoring, disruption management, aircraft rotation planning, and operational decision-making within airline operations control centres.

Load Control and Aircraft Weight and Balance
Training includes aircraft weight limitations, load sheet preparation, centre of gravity calculations, and payload management.

Crew Scheduling and FDTL Administration
Students learn how airlines manage crew rosters and ensure compliance with flight duty time limitation regulations.

Aviation Safety and Risk Assessment
Students are introduced to Safety Management Systems and operational risk assessment frameworks.

Aviation Security (AVSEC)
Training includes aviation security principles, regulatory requirements, and operational procedures.

Technical Library and Airline Documentation
Students learn how airlines maintain operational manuals, aircraft documentation, and regulatory publications.

Movement Control and Airport Operations
Students are introduced to aircraft turnaround coordination and airport operational flow management.

The RICAS Digital Learning Vision
To support modern aviation education, RICAS is also developing a Learning Management System platform.

This digital platform will allow students to access structured aviation learning modules, operational case studies, and airline operational training materials online.

By combining real operational experience with modern training technology, RICAS aims to create a new model of aviation education focused on airline operations.

The Vision Ahead
The aviation industry continues to grow rapidly across Asia and the Middle East, creating increasing demand for skilled operational professionals.

RICAS was created with a simple but powerful mission: to train the professionals who work behind the scenes to keep airlines operating safely and efficiently.

Every aircraft that departs into the sky carries with it the unseen work of dozens of professionals on the ground.

RICAS is dedicated to training the next generation of those professionals — the minds behind airline operations.