Air Transport Management MSc

Program Overview

Cranfield University's Air Transport Management MSc prepares graduates for impactful careers in the evolving air transport industry. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum, taught by industry experts, covering key management issues and debates. Students benefit from strong industry connections, ensuring high demand for graduates by leading airlines, airports, and aerospace companies. The program's multidisciplinary approach and focus on sustainability equip graduates to navigate the challenges and contribute to the future of air transport.

Program Outline

Air Transport Management MSc at Cranfield University: A Detailed Overview

Degree Overview

Overall Aims:

• Prepare graduates for impactful careers in the ever-evolving air transport industry, equipping them with knowledge and skills to address the industry's contemporary challenges and contribute to its sustainable future.
• Empower graduates to pursue leadership roles and navigate the uncertainty brought by advancements in air transport technologies, geopolitical tensions, and uneven global economic development.

Target Audience:

• Students with diverse academic backgrounds, including aeronautical engineering, economics, business studies, history, and geography, or those with demonstrable experience in the air transport industry.
• Professionals seeking career advancement in the air transport sector.

Course Structure:

• 9 compulsory modules offering comprehensive grounding in key air transport management issues and debates.
• 1 elective module chosen from a selection of specialization options.
• Individual research project allowing exploration of a specific topic of interest.
• Group project simulating an airline start-up and fostering managerial, interpersonal, financial, project management, and analytical skills.

Key Features:

• Taught by a multidisciplinary team of leading researchers and industry experts known for their publication records and practical experience.
• Strong industry connections, ensuring graduates are highly sought after by major airlines, airports, consultancies, and aerospace companies.

Outline:

Compulsory Modules:

• Introduction to the Air Transport Industry: Contemporary issues, business prospects, sustainable development, and industry dynamics.
• Air Transport Economics and Finance: Demand and supply analysis, revenue maximization, airline financial statements, investment appraisal, market structure, regulation, airport-airline relationships, financial planning, risk management, business planning.
• Geopolitics and International Aviation Law: Contemporary legal controversies, the 1944 Chicago Convention, geopolitics-aviation interaction, airline liability regulation, bilateral system, EU competition law, aviation safety regulations, environmental regulation.
• Air Transport Market Analysis and Forecasting: Demand forecasting, market analysis, segmentation, data analysis, econometric modelling, forecast evaluation.
• Air Transport Operations: Flight operations, commercial planning, scheduling, crew management, route planning, aircraft knowledge, maintenance management, legal aspects, continuing airworthiness.
• Air Transport Environmental Planning: Environmental challenges, policy, regulation, assessment methods, sustainable fuels propulsion, airport planning, emissions calculations, local air quality, climate change, noise mitigation, circular principles, wildlife trafficking combatting.
• Air Transport Strategic and Marketing Management: Competitiveness, business diversification strategies, marketing fundamentals, consumer behavior, market segmentation, airline and airport products, customer experience, branding, pricing, revenue management, airport route development, marketing strategies.

Elective Modules (choose one):

• Aviation Safety Management: Fundamentals, safety management systems, hazard identification, risk management, safety performance, human factors.
• Air Transport Engineering - Maintenance Operations: Maintenance program development, optimization, philosophies, airlines, outsourcing, human factors, logistics, supply chain, regulatory compliance, health and usage monitoring.
• Airline Fleet Planning: Aircraft performance, economic analysis, fleet planning principles, financial evaluation, data sources, modelling techniques.
• Air Transport Marketing: E-commerce, social media, digital developments in airline operations, data analysis, application within airlines.
• Airport Strategic Planning: Site selection, master planning, flexibility, policy, catchment areas, accessibility, competition, connectivity, stakeholder relations, airline influence, airport expansion, case studies.
• Digital Airline Management: Technology, digital transformation processes, data sources, airline applications, forecasting, e-commerce.
• Regional Aviation: Regional airline economics, strategy, network planning, performance, fleet planning, airport and ATC management, subsidies, social support mechanisms, case studies.

Assessment:

• Mix of continuous assessment (e.g., assignments, presentations) and examinations for each module.
• Individual research project evaluated through a written report and viva voce examination.
• Group project assessment through presentations, a detailed report, and individual viva voce examinations.

Teaching:

• Multidisciplinary blend of air transport economists, marketing specialists, and aeronautical engineers with extensive industry experience and publications.
• Interactive lectures, class discussions, student presentations, case studies, guest lectures by industry experts, field trips, and project work.
• Individual research project supervision by faculty experts in the chosen field.
• Group project facilitated by academics, mimicking real-world scenarios and industry practices.

Careers:

Potential Positions:

• Airline: Operations, strategy, human factors, marketing, network planning, revenue management.
• Aerospace: Manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, engineering, MRO.
• Airport: Operations, strategy, marketing, development, air traffic control.
• Consultancy: aviation industry advising, economic analysis, business planning.
• Aviation Journalism: Reporting, analysis, commentary on aviation industry trends.
• Fintech: aviation-specific financial services, investment banking, risk management.

Top Employers:

• British Airways/IAG Cargo Company
• easyJet
• AerCap
• Air France-KLM
• BAE Systems
• Boeing
• Changi Airports Group
• Dubai Airports
• Etihad Airways
• GE Aviation
• Lufthansa Group
• TUI
• Vietnam Airlines
• Many more leading aviation companies.

Cranfield Careers Service:

• Career coaching and personalized support.
• CV development and interview preparation workshops.
• Access to hundreds of job opportunities through the Symplicity platform.
• Networking events with potential employers.
• Free lifetime career resources and support available to alumni.

Other:

• Excellent location in the quiet English countryside with easy access to London and major airports.
• Strong reputation and global recognition as a top-ranked university in aviation management.
• Award-winning facilities and resources, including world-class aviation research institutions.
• Vibrant student community with a diverse mix of nationalities and backgrounds.
• A strong social and cultural event calendar.
• Opportunity to participate in industry-backed research projects.
• Access to the exclusive Cranfield Air Transport Alumni group on LinkedIn.

Conclusion:

The Air Transport Management MSc at Cranfield University stands out as an exceptional program equipped with the knowledge, skills, and industry connections to launch a successful career in the dynamic field of air transport management.