Professor & Chair Head, Aviation Management — Graphic Era (Deemed to be University)
"No runway? No problem." — a way of working, not just a book title.
Prof. Dr. Sanjay Kumar h.c. has spent 36+ years at the leading edge of Indian mobility — first in the automobile industry, then across nearly three decades in civil aviation at Pawan Hans Ltd., where he rose to Executive Director & Officiating Chairman & Managing Director (as assigned) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
He pioneered India's first integrated heliport at Rohini, launched the country's first seaplane services in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and built helicopter pilgrimage connectivity to Kedarnath, Vaishno Devi and Amarnath Ji — carrying lakhs of devotees to shrines the road could never reach.
Today, in his academic "second innings," he serves as Professor & Chair Head of Aviation Management at Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun — mentoring the next generation while authoring research on Advanced Air Mobility and the digital future of flight. He is also Co-Founder & CEO of AviateIQ Tech LLP, an aviation-technology startup.

Rose to the apex of the organisation — and served as MoCA-appointed Nodal Person for launching B.Sc. Aeronautical Engineering degrees at the University of Mumbai and Jamia Millia Islamia. Co-founded AviateIQ Tech LLP as an MSME aviation-tech startup.
Began the academic second innings — building MBA & BBA Aviation curricula, mentoring future aviation leaders, and authoring research on Advanced Air Mobility and aviation digital twins.
Pioneered India's first integrated heliport (Rohini), first seaplane services (Andaman & Nicobar), pilgrimage connectivity to Kedarnath, Vaishno Devi & Amarnath Ji, UDAN regional connectivity, and procurement of 26+ helicopters.
Began a 36-year mobility career on the ground — building the commercial and operational instincts that would later transform India's skies.
India's first integrated heliport at Rohini and a national network of helipads — turning rotary-wing aviation into everyday public infrastructure.
India's first seaplane services and Himalayan pilgrimage connectivity — unlocking access where conventional runways were never viable.
Driving UDAN's expansion into new sectors across multiple States — with heliport development underway in five States — bringing affordable air access to India's underserved regions.
Nodal person for launching B.Sc. Aeronautical Engineering degrees at the University of Mumbai and Jamia Millia Islamia — and today building aviation talent at Graphic Era University.
Original frameworks in Advanced Air Mobility, autonomous heliport digital twins, and vertiport networks for 2040 and beyond.
Co-Founder & CEO of AviateIQ Tech LLP — bringing sustainable infrastructure, drones, and last-mile aerial connectivity to market.
Featured among "2026's Iconic Inspiring Success Stories."
Recognised as "Aviation's Trailblazing Force."
Aviation Education & Curriculum Innovation — Brand to Wealth Summit, New Delhi.
Honoured before ambassadors and dignitaries from 21 nations.
National recognition for excellence in aviation.
Honoured among India's aviation leadership for regional connectivity.
Also holds honorary doctorates — DBA h.c. & D.Litt. h.c. — and is an IICA Certified Independent Director.




























Original research frameworks in Advanced Air Mobility — under peer review, with preprints on SSRN.
AI-Orchestrated Autonomous Heliport Digital Twins — accepted to AI4GreenWorld 2026 (Springer/AIP).
Intelligent heliport network optimisation for resilient regional connectivity.
A blueprint for India's vertiport networks and the urban air-mobility decade ahead.
An economic-readiness index for Urban Air Mobility adoption across emerging markets.
A governance-and-economics model for heliport operations at national scale.
Bridging simulation and operations for the next generation of aviation infrastructure.
For speaking, advisory, academic collaboration, or media — I'd love to hear from you.