Eapen is the Managing Director of Speedwings Aviation Group, 1995, a conglomerate comprising Speedwings Travel & Cargo Pvt Ltd, Speedwings Aviation Academy, and Speedwings Aviation Management Consultancy Services.
Eapen embarked on his journey through active participation in the Kerala student's union leadership, recognized as Biji Enchakalody, a commerce graduate; started his aviation career with Kuwait Airways at Kuwait international airport in 1976; he has held various organizational roles. Throughout his career, Eapen has received comprehensive training and extensive experience in various operational activities related to airlines and airports. His expertise covers areas such as passenger and cargo reservations and handling, ULD control systems, cargo flight planning, space control and capacity utilization, dangerous goods regulations, perishable cargo, live animal regulations, load control, ramp, and safety, lost and found services, and yield control management, including airline compensations, claims, and liabilities. He has worked with different aircraft types, including the Viscount, Boeing 747, Combi, and Freighter.
Eapen received specialized training from SITA (Society International Telecommunications Aeronautiques) in London, focusing on SITA network reservations, HDQ, and network control systems. He was a crucial member of the "KAC FAST IV Automation Working Group," responsible for automating Kuwait Airways' network, including offline stations.
Speedwings Aviation Academy, led by Eapen, has achieved notable acclaim as the sole globally recognized Authorized Training Center (ATC) by IATA as a "Premier Circle Member - world Top Ten" for eleven consecutive years (2009-2019) among 485 ATCs worldwide. This academy, functioning as an IATA ATC and Accredited Training School (ATS), has built a solid professional standing by providing a wide range of 47 IATA aviation courses under one roof.
Eapen's passion for his work is evident in his involvement with Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) since 1979, when he started dealing with restricted articles at Kuwait Airways. He is a licensed DG Professional Instructor approved by IATA and DGCA (Government of India) for certifying personnel in air transportation for 17 categories of dangerous goods training to airlines and airports, including postal operators. He has embraced the Competency-based Training and Assessment (CBTA) approach, transforming the conventional category-based system into a dynamic, functional-based framework. Under his leadership, Speedwings achieved a significant milestone on June 9, 2022, becoming the country's first IATA Accredited CBTA Center Provider to offer training in all ten functions, solidifying its position as a frontrunner in India's Dangerous Goods (DG) training.
With over 40 years of aviation experience, Eapen has extensive airport and airline operations knowledge. In addition to his aviation expertise, Eapen has made significant contributions to the travel and tourism industry. His diverse career spans experiences in airlines, travel agencies, and international organizations such as SITA, UFTAA, and FICCI. He collaborates closely with other travel, tourism, aviation organizations, and global partners to establish curricula and provide consultancy services.
Eapen's involvement in the industry extends further as the first Asian representative of UFTAA at the Passenger Agency Program Global Joint Council (PAPGJC), the apex body of airline operators and IATA in 2006-07. He also served as a UFTAA Global Education Committee member, collaborating with IATA for the global training program, IATA-UFTAA & FIATA programs. Eapen has played various roles, including serving on the Board of Studies in Bachelor of Tourism Management at Avinashilingam University for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Eapen is the founder and president of the "IATA Agents Association of India" (IAAI), a national travel trade organization focused on enhancing the network, quality, and welfare of IATA Travel Agents in India. As president, he championed the members and fought tirelessly within the legal and regulatory framework for India's travel fraternity,
Furthermore, Eapen is president of the Airline Users Rights and Grievances Redressal Forum (AURGRF). This national platform gives passengers a voice to express their concerns, promoting their rights and ensuring accountability. The forum improves airline services through his leadership, benefiting the entire air travel ecosystem.
president@airlineusersforum.com | president@iaai.in | biji@speedwings.org