Introduction to Air Transport Economics and Planning

Overview

Course summary

This course is designed to provide a firm grounding in the fundamental principles of airline and airport economics and commercial planning, as well as addressing regulatory and policy issues.

Who is this course for?

Although we will cover a large amount of material, we have designed the course to be accessible to participants without detailed prior knowledge of the aviation business.

The course is ideal for:

  • new staff working in the air transport industry, for government or regulatory bodies or in aviation consultancy
  • employees with some prior background experience who wish to broaden their understanding of the industry and reflect on current developments
  • people working in related fields such as finance, economic development or tourism who deal with airline and airport issues

Course structure

The course is based around lecture sessions, including questions and discussion, on the following topics:

  • introduction to the air transport industry
  • airline cost structures and cost analysis
  • the economics of low-cost airlines
  • airline pricing and revenues
  • airline corporate planning
  • the international regulatory framework
  • impact of deregulation
  • the EU airline operator: obligations and benefits
  • airport economics
  • the environmental issues
  • airport planning and terminal design
  • current performance of the air transport industry

Workshops

The course also includes three workshop simulation exercises in which participants will:

  • examine the cost structures of different airlines around the world
  • develop a commercial strategy for a new entrant airline on a European route
  • consider the airport aeronautical charging regime for a system of airports and relate this to policy and business objectives

Learning materials

You will receive a detailed set of lecture notes and diagrams to accompany the course, which will provide a comprehensive source of material for future reference.

Booking

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Our tutors

Course team

Each session will be led by a senior expert in the field, featuring a balanced perspective, combining industry know-how with the latest insights from leading academic researchers. 

Dr Nigel Dennis is head of the Air Transport Unit, coordinating the aviation research and teaching activities at the University of Westminster. He has carried out consultancy work for many clients including British Airways, Ryanair, DHL, BAA and the European Commission, and has published numerous papers and articles. He is Course Leader of the MSc Air Transport Planning and Management and has taught airline planning on the existing Master's degrees for 20 years.

Frances Kremarik is a Lecturer in Air Transport at the University of Westminster, specialising in air transport surveys and data, along with the North Atlantic market.

Professor Anne Graham is a Reader in Air Transport and Tourism at the University of Westminster, specialising in airport issues. She is the author of the book 'Managing Airports: an international perspective', published by Butterworth-Heinemann.

Title
Location

This course is taught at our Marylebone Campus in central London, within easy walking distance of Regent's Park and Marylebone High Street.

Contact us

+44 (0)20 350 69900

[email protected]

Phone lines are open Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm