Apply by 28 March 2024 and you could be eligible for a 5% discount on your tuition fees.
Overview
- Start dateOctober
- DurationOne year full-time
- DeliveryTaught modules 50%, Group project 10%, Individual research project 40%
- QualificationMSc
- Study typeFull-time
Who is it for?
The Airport Planning and Management MSc is suitable for students with a degree in diverse areas of engineering, economics, business studies, geography and social sciences, and with demonstrable interest in the airport industry. You will join a cohort of like-minded individuals with a passion for aviation and a drive to build sustainable air transport to connect the world.
This course covers a core area of expertise in airport planning and management, while enabling you to specialise in appropriated subject areas. This flexibility means that you may tailor your learning experience to your own interests and career aspirations.
Why this course?
In the Airport Planning and Management MSc you will develop transferrable management, communication, teamwork and research skills, and you will attain specific competencies in the airport industry, such as:
- A systematic understanding of relevant international and national regulations and the ability to explain their effects on airport business, planning, design, operations and safety management decisions.
- A critical awareness of the key issues that affect users of airport facilities and the ability to explain the impact of their commercial pressures, strategic decisions and priorities on airport business, planning, design, operations and safety management decisions.
- A systemic perspective on the regulatory constraints and commercial and environmental imperatives to identify, analyse and design solutions in order to address contemporary issues within the context of airport planning and management.
Cranfield University is one of the select few universities in the world to run an English language master's course in airport planning and management, and the only UK university campus with a fully operational airport. Achieving this highly relevant and globally respected degree will enable you to stand out in a competitive employment market.
Cranfield's Centre for Air Transport Management combines a wealth of practical expertise with extensive research, consultancy and teaching experience in one centre of excellence. We have been providing postgraduate education for almost sixty years. You can be sure that your qualification will be valued and respected by employers throughout the world.
Cranfield University is very well located for visiting students from all over the world. It offers a range of library and student wellbeing facilities and resources to support your studies. This MSc programme benefits from students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds which significantly enhances the learning experience for both staff and students.
Informed by Industry
The Airport Planning and Management MSc is guided by an Industry Advisory Board to ensure the course maintains its unique characteristics and meets the continuously evolving challenges of the airport industry and associated sectors. This board comprises senior representatives from leading airport consultancies, airport operators and academic institutions. Current members include:
- Catherine Ashman, Head of Asset Insights and Analysis, Manchester Airports Group
- George Efkolides, Head of Customer Experience, IAG Cargo
- Matthew Butters, Aviation Director, Pascall+Watson
- Andrew Gibson, Global Solutions Director – Aviation, Jacobs
- Rob Rushmer, Principal, ICF
- Sugandhi Jayaraman, Senior Airport Planner and Doctoral Researcher, University of Westminster
- Matt Mullen, Head of Customer Systems & Digital, East West Rail
- Patrick Ziegler, Senior Consultant, amd.sigma - Strategic Airport Development GmbH
- Simon Harley, Head of Business Development, London Luton Airport
- Gerhard Ersching, HR Manager, Vienna International Airport
Course details
Ten compulsory taught modules, two of which elective, a Group Project and an Individual Research Project.
Course delivery
Taught modules 50%, Group project 10%, Individual research project 40%
Group project
In April students are divided into groups of seven to ten, and asked to solve a current airport planning and management challenge. The group project draws upon the learning from the taught modules and applies it to real-life simulation. Each member is required to take responsibility for a key area, for example, market analysis, capital expenditure forecast or terminal design. The group submits a report of their findings and recommendations and delivers a presentation to staff, students and industry experts.
Projects are usually supported by industry and potential future employers value this experience. Industry involvement is an integral component to the group project, to give you first-hand experience of working within real life challenging situations.
Previous Group Projects have included:
- Evaluating the business case for extending the runway at Birmingham Airport
- The preparation of development plans for two new airports in South-West England
- Designing a new passenger terminal for Leeds-Bradford International Airport.
Individual project
The individual research project is the single largest component of this course and is an opportunity to study a problem in detail. Sponsoring organisations may co-operate in the choice of a suitable subject. Project topics vary widely and are often based on your area of interest. The individual research project component typically takes place between April and August.
Previous individual research projects have included:
- An analysis of the hubbing strategy of Air France/KLM at Amsterdam Schiphol airport
- The implications of secondary slot trading on airport revenues
- Air traffic distribution in a multi-airport environment; the Mumbai metropolitan region
Modules
Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.
To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.
Course modules
Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course.
Introduction to the Air Transport Industry
Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Airport Operations
Aim |
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Syllabus |
• Airside and landside operations • Airport social media • Control of emergencies and contingency planning • Airport security • Airport safety management systems and risk assessment • Airport customer service |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Explain key airport operations and describe their contribution to service provision; 2. Evaluate the thought processes required in effective airport business recovery following an airport incident or process change; 3. Critique the requirement for (and the components of) a robust airport security plan and safety management system. |
Airport Finance and Business Management
Aim |
To ensure that when students complete the module they will have received the required level of knowledge and relevant sets of skills in order to apply these competently to help them solve airport business management problems. |
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Syllabus |
• Airport aeronautical charges & airport-airline relations • Air cargo for airport managers • Airport retail, F&B & media sales • Contract models for airport commercial business processes • Commercial management of ground transportation • Airport costs, out-sourcing and the business of capital investment • Airline network strategy • Airport marketing and route development • Introduction to Finance • Financial statements and ratios • Investment appraisal • Airport competition and strategy • Airport economic regulation • Airport ownership and privatisation • The airport ground handling business • Measuring airport business performance • Case studies in digitalisation, out-sourcing, retail, strategy and market research from visiting lecturers • Group exercises |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Assess the financial performance of airports through analysis, interpretation and evaluation of financial statements and business performance ratios. 2. Evaluate the financial feasibility of proposed airport development projects through applying appropriate investment appraisal techniques. 3. Calculate an airport’s level of aeronautical charges using turnaround cost and aeronautical yield approaches and to critically discuss the results within the context of its business development prospects. 4. Explain relevant concepts of micro-economic theory and their application to the airport industry. 5. Critically evaluate a problem relating to airport business development. |
Geopolitics and International Aviation Law
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Air Transport Market Analysis and Forecasting
Aim |
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Syllabus |
• Air travel demand • Market analysis • Trend analysis • Time series analysis • Market share forecasts • Long term forecasts • Econometric modelling • Evaluating forecasting results |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Appraise key factors affecting demand for air travel. 2. Analyse data and select the most appropriate model to produce a traffic forecast. 3. Evaluate forecasting methods and interpret the results with confidence. 4. Appraise and critique the work of other practitioners and specialists. 5. Communicate effectively, in written form, the research work produced. |
Airport Strategic Planning
Aim |
To ensure that upon completion of the module, you will have acquired the required level of knowledge and skills to successfully tackle real-world airport strategic planning problems. |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the process of airport capacity planning within the context of changing airline industry structure, national airport policy goals and planning constraints; 2. Identify the key components involved in approving airport development projects and be able to appraise the arguments for and against expansion; 3. Compare, analyse and assess different location options for new airports and understanding the interaction of key variables in the decision-making process; 4. Collect information from a variety of electronic (internet) and hard copy sources to support research; 5. Appraise and critique the work of other practitioners and specialists, communicate effectively, in written form, research work produced, and complete coursework to set deadlines. |
Air Transport Environmental Planning
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Demonstrate an appreciation of the key features and characteristics of the environmental externalities of air transport at varying spatial scales. 2. Critically analyse the various technical, commercial, economic and political dimensions of environmental impact mitigation. 3. Identify current and future environmental policy and regulatory controls on the air transport industry and assess trade-offs between competing priorities. 4. Apply different techniques for measuring and calculating the environmental impacts of air transport. 5. Develop and communicate an environmental strategic plan for air transport. |
Airport Design
Aim |
To provide students with the knowledge, understanding and skills in the design of airports and associated facilities in respect to contemporary commercial requirements. |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Elective modules
One of modules from the following list need to be taken as part of this course
Aviation Safety Management
Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Digital Airline Management
Aim |
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Syllabus |
Developments of IT within the airline sector (e.g. blockchain) |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Regional Aviation
Aim |
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Syllabus |
• Regional airline strategy • Regional airline network planning • Regional aircraft performance and economics • Regional airline fleet planning • Management of regional airports and ATC • Subsidies, public service obligations, and other support mechanisms • Case studies and practitioner visiting online lectures |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to: 1. Discuss the key economic and business features that are common to regional airlines and evaluate how these differ from other airline business models. 2. Critically analyse and appraise business problems relating to regional airline strategy and network planning. 3. Critically evaluate the performance characteristics of regional aircraft in the context of regional airline fleet planning and the implications on business performance. 4. Critically evaluate the common economic and business challenges faced by airports and providers of ATC in regional markets. 5. Critically analyse and appraise policy challenges relating to the use of essential air service support mechanisms that are often applied to remote / peripheral regional markets. |
Air Transport Marketing
Aim |
To provide a sound comprehension of the how marketing concepts and theories can be applied to the airline industry, considering its unique nature. |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Air Transport Strategic and Marketing Management
Aim |
To assist air transport managers to formulate and implement strategies in order to create sustained competitive advantage. To provide a sound comprehension of how marketing concepts and theories can be applied to the air transport industry, considering its unique nature. |
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Syllabus |
Introduction to strategic air transport management |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Teaching team
You will be taught by Cranfield's Centre for Air Transport Management's leading experts and recognised external specialists. This multi-disciplinary group includes a unique blend of airport economists, transport geographers, marketing specialists, architects, historians, and civil, aeronautical and industrial engineers with strong publication records and vast industry experience. The course director for this programme is Dr Edgar Jimenez Perez.
Your career
After completing the Airport Planning and Management MSc, you will be in a unique position to respond to the need for talented individuals to drive the transition towards a sustainable air transport system. The course offers varied and exciting career possibilities from planning and management consultancies that advise airports and authorities across the world, airport designers, developers and operators, to air transport infrastructure, service and travel providers, including for new forms of air transport such as advanced air mobility.
Our passion for the areas of expertise we operate in, and our hands-on relationship with industry are unparalleled. This is recognised globally by potential employers and we have a proven record of graduate employment across airports, consultancies and associated industries.
Previous graduates have secured employment with a range of companies including:
- Arup
- Jacobs Consultancy
- Mott MacDonald
- Airbus
- Korean Airports Corporation
- Malaysian Airports
- SH&E
- Aviation Economics
- Heathrow Airport
- Group ADP – Aeroports de Paris
We also provide access to our exclusive LinkedIn Cranfield University - Air Transport Group, which offers unrivalled networking and job opportunities.
This is what some of our previous students have to say about the course:
"This course has such a strong reputation in the aviation industry and is recognised and well known by many experts. During my master's we had many industry experts and CEOs visiting and giving lectures." Victor Ravelli, Airport Planner
"After becoming a student, you realise how well-connected Cranfield University is with the industry. The calibre of the teaching staff and guest lecturers speaks for itself. Cranfield is an excellent choice to pursue postgraduate studies as it positions students for entry-level and mid-level roles within the top airlines, airport operators, consultancies, and key organisations within the aviation industry." Eduard Clerch, Team Leader and Principal Airport Planner, Mott MacDonald
"You really need to go to Cranfield, that’s where you need to be for aviation. I applied for the Airport Planning and Management MSc and got a place and I felt really excited to have the chance to pursue something I’m really interested in and branch out into a more specific field." Jessica van Zeijderveld, Business Development Manager, Copenhagen Optimization
Cranfield’s Career Service is dedicated to helping you meet your career aspirations. You will have access to career coaching and advice, CV development, interview practice, access to hundreds of available jobs via our Symplicity platform and opportunities to meet recruiting employers at our careers fairs. Our strong reputation and links with potential employers provide you with outstanding opportunities to secure interesting jobs and develop successful careers. Support continues after graduation and as a Cranfield alumnus, you have free life-long access to a range of career resources to help you continue your education and enhance your career.
How to apply
Click on the ‘Apply now’ button below to start your online application.
See our Application guide for information on our application process and entry requirements.