Dipasis Bhadra

Dr. Dipasis Bhadra is an assistant professor in the Department of Aeronautics. An aviation economist and quantitative researcher with more than three decades of academic, government and industry experience, he earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Connecticut.

Before joining Embry-Riddle, Bhadra spent nearly 17 years as a senior quantitative economist in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Aviation Policy and Plans. He served as the principal economist in modernizing the FAA’s Terminal Area Forecast, the agency’s official forecast of aviation activity at U.S. airports. The modernization introduced advanced econometric models of passenger demand and aircraft activity to support FAA planning, budgeting and operational requirements, as well as aviation planning by state and local authorities.

Bhadra also played a leading role in developing FAA forecasts and economic analyses for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). His work examined emerging aviation markets, package delivery by uncrewed aircraft, aviation demand, aircraft fleet evolution, airport activity and the integration of new entrants into the National Airspace System. He also developed short-term forecasts for major U.S. airports to support FAA operational planning and delay analysis.

Prior to the FAA, Bhadra conducted aviation research at MITRE, examining airline networks, passenger demand, aircraft fleet choice, congestion, delays, fares and National Airspace System performance. He has also held academic appointments in the United States and internationally, with more than 15 years of teaching experience.

Bhadra’s research applies economics, econometrics, forecasting, operations research and public policy analysis to complex aviation-system challenges. At Embry-Riddle, his work focuses on AAM and UAS education, applied research and curriculum development. His current interests include the economics and public policy of emerging aviation technologies, demand and market forecasting, infrastructure and community integration, safety and regulatory policy and the operational integration of new entrants into the National Airspace System.

Bhadra has authored or co-authored more than 35 peer-reviewed aviation journal articles, collectively receiving more than 540 citations. Selected publications and research materials are available through his ResearchGate profile.

Assistant Professor of Aeronautics
Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide College of Aviation
2026–Present

• Teaching and applied research in aviation economics, UAS, and Advanced Air Mobility.
• Supporting AAM curriculum and program development.
• Researching emerging aviation markets, forecasting, public policy, and National Airspace System integration.

Senior Quantitative Economist
Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Aviation Policy and Plans
2008–2025

• Served as a principal economist in modernizing the FAA’s Terminal Area Forecast, its official forecast of aviation activity at U.S. airports.
• Led and contributed to economic analysis and forecasting of UAS and Advanced Air Mobility.
• Conducted research on passenger demand, airport activity, aircraft operations, fleet evolution, drone delivery, and emerging aviation markets.
• Supported FAA strategic planning, policy development, operational analysis, and UAS/AAM integration research.
• Developed short-term traffic forecasts for major U.S. airports to support operational planning and delay analysis.
• Guided and sponsored applied research conducted through the FAA’s ASSURE UAS Center of Excellence.

Principal Economist
MITRE Corporation, Center for Advanced Aviation System Development
2001–2008

• Conducted economic and quantitative research on the National Airspace System.
• Developed models of passenger demand, airline networks, future flight schedules, and aircraft-fleet choice.
• Analyzed congestion, delays, fares, airport capacity, airline competition, and aviation-system performance.
• Supported assessments of future air-transportation concepts and aviation infrastructure investments.

University Faculty and Instructor
Various institutions in the United States and internationally
More than 15 years of teaching experience

• Taught economics, quantitative methods, transportation, logistics, operations research, and aviation-related subjects.
• Mentored students and connected economic theory and quantitative analysis with practical transportation and aviation problems.

Vice President (2006-2008), Chapter Relations, Transportation Research Forum.

Chair (2007-2009), Economics Technical Committee  of the AIAA. 

Member, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

Member, INFORMS.

Member, American Economic Association.

Member, Eastern Economic Association.

Member, Transportation Research Board (TRB). .

Member, Air Transportation Research Group (ATRG).  

Member, Aviation Economics and Air Transportation Forecasting Group, TRB.

Member, Airport Cooperative Research Programs (ACRP), TRB.