Designed to equip you with the skills to pursue a successful career in various sectors of the air transport industry including airlines, airport companies and authorities, civil aviation departments, air transport consultancies and aerospace companies. This part-time flexible Executive course covers a broad range of management strategic issues to enable you to advance your career in the air transport industry. Focus on subjects that match your individual interests and career aspirations, whilst you remain in employment.
Overview
- Start dateJune or November
- DurationMSc: up to three years part-time. PgDip: two years part-time
- DeliveryTaught Module 50%, Group project 10%, Individual research project 40%
- QualificationMSc, PgDip
- Study typeExecutive
- CampusCranfield campus, External
Who is it for?
Created to meet the demand for more flexible executive teaching in air transport management, this course is suitable for those who require a broad knowledge of air transport management strategic issues whilst remaining in full-time employment. It combines compulsory air transport core learning with an increased focus on leadership and personal development including managerial, interpersonal, financial and analytical skills. Accelerate your career development by focusing on subjects that match your individual interests and career aspirations.
Your career
Successful completion of this course will gain you an internationally recognised qualification which benefits from the Cranfield reputation and can take you onto new levels of your career anywhere in the world. We provide access to our exclusive LinkedIn Cranfield University - Air Transport Group, which offers unrivalled networking and job opportunities.
This qualification facilitates accelerated career development for many of our graduates. One former graduate began his studies as an Operations Manager and was promoted three times during his study – he is now the Deputy CEO and credits the course for enabling his progression by allowing him to take a broader view of his organisation than his original role..
Other roles our former graduates have gone on to occupy include:
- Financial Controller at Rolls-Royce plc
- Head of Market Intelligence at Cargolux
Why this course?
The MSc Air Transport Management has been established since 1964. The course has an outstanding global reputation with over 1,500 graduates to date. We recognise the challenges faced by our executive students and have reduced the required number of visits to Cranfield through the introduction of several distance learning modules which are indicated in the modules overview. This enables students from all over the world to complete this qualification whilst balancing work/life commitments.
We are very well located for students from all over the world and offers a range of library and support facilities 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 course is directed by an industrial advisory committee comprising senior representatives from leading airlines and associated sectors. This group meets annually and ensures that the course content remains up-to-date and equips you with the skills and knowledge required by leading employers. Members of the committee also attend the group project presentations.
We regularly invite senior industry experts to present to our students. Previous speakers have included:
- Alex Cruz, Chairman and CEO of British Airways
- Julie White, VP Global Sales Planning and Distribution Strategy of Virgin Atlantic
- Willie Walsh, CEO of International Airlines Groups
- Stewart Wingate, CEO of Gatwick Airport
- Brian Pearce, Chief Economist of the International Air Transport Association (IATA)
- Professor Rigas Doganis.
Course details
Cranfield offers an inspiring, challenging and rewarding academic environment. I find staff very competent, motivating and flexible. Having the possibility to share knowledge as industry professionals among each other is truly valuable. I can highly recommend the course!
Whilst working full-time for an airline, I was interested in a postgraduate programme that would take my knowledge of this exciting industry to the next level. Only one course came highly recommended by virtually everybody in the industry I spoke to: the Executive Air Transport Management MSc at Cranfield University. It’s not just one thing that sets this course apart - it’s everything about it.The academic rigour that challenges, the world-class academic staff who inspire, the practical examples that go beyond the classroom and the extensive network that opens doors. I’m excited about my future with Cranfield behind me all the way.
The taught programme for the Air Transport Management masters starts twice a year and is comprised of ten modules (six compulsory and four optional). All the modules are completed over three one-week periods (two modules per week) so you are only expected to make three trips to Cranfield to complete the six compulsory modules in June, November and March. Some optional modules are available for distance learning.
Course delivery
Taught Module 50%, Group project 10%, Individual research project 40%
Group project
Students are divided into groups and tasked with setting up an airline in any country of the group's choice. Students can also choose any type of airline business model. The groups present and defend their business plans to a board of senior industry executives as well as to teaching staff. Each group must also submit a detailed report which will be assessed.
The group project is undertaken in the second year, and is held in July for two weeks. The aim is to provide a simulated industrial environment where knowledge and skills gained from the taught component can be applied to solving an air transport management problem.
Individual project
The individual research project is undertaken during year three of your studies. It provides an opportunity to study a problem in detail, and sponsoring organisations may collaborate in the choice of a suitable subject. This allows you to demonstrate the application of your learning to real-life problems.
Previous individual research projects have included:
- Route selection strategies of the low cost carriers: the case of Ryanair and easyJet
- Sustainable business models for airlines in Africa
- Ancillary revenues in airlines and their implication for revenue management.
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.
The Airline Business
| Aim |
To provide you with an overview of the complexities of the airline business, to examine different airline business models and assess critical success factors. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
• Review of the airline regulatory environment and its impact on the business • The Airline Market • Market share modelling • Airline Business Models • Full Service (network, 6th Freedom, Niche) • Low cost carriers (LCCs) • Charter airlines • Regional airlines • Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) • Success factors for different business models |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to: |
The Airport Business
| Aim |
To ensure that when you complete the module you 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. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
• The global airport industry
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
1. Critically evaluate solutions to solving management problems within the aeronautical business context |
Air Transport Strategies
| Aim |
To assist air transport managers to formulate and implement strategies in order to generate high performance and to create sustained competitive advantage. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
• Core Concepts of Strategic Management • Performing Strategic Analysis • Strategies used to Respond to Competition and Competitive Advantage • Airline business diversification strategies |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Evaluate and apply strategic management concepts and analytical tools to the airline industry. 2. Assess how different strategies impact the competitiveness of airlines. 3. Synthesise information from a variety of sources to support research on airline strategies. 4. Appraise and critique strategies applied by airlines. |
Professional and Personal Development
| Aim |
• To introduce frameworks that aid interpersonal understanding, communication and relationships. • To introduce the notion of personality and emotional competence. • To consider the importance of relationships at work. • To discuss the importance of effective feedback. • To introduce the concept of group dynamics and effective teams. • To explore the effectiveness of different leadership styles. • To provide an introduction to, conflict and control, power, politics and influence in organisations. • To introduce and understand the role of organisational culture in change. • To explore the challenges of leading change. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
• Specifically, the syllabus will include: o Introduction to Personal and Professional Development o Individual Differences and Learning o Group dynamics and Team roles o Relationships, Personality and Motivation o Organisational Culture o Power, Politics and Influence o Operational Change approaches o Leadership of change and leadership paradoxes o Leadership and coaching |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
|
Air Transport Economics and Financial Management
| Aim |
To provide a sound understanding of those economic concepts which are particularly relevant to decision-making in the air transport industry. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Research Methods
| Aim |
To provide you with the fundamentals of research practice and to help students develop the skills necessary for them to undertake management research in a systematic and scientific manner. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to: |
Elective modules
A selection of modules from the following list need to be taken as part of this course
Air Transport Market Analysis and Forecasting
| Aim |
|
|---|---|
| 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. |
Crisis Management and Business Continuity
| Aim |
Crisis management is a topic area relevant to airlines, airports and other organisations involved with delivering air transport. These organisations typically have dedicated personnel and departments to emergency response and crisis planning. The aim of this course is to provide students with an overview of how to plan for crises, what to expect when they happen, and how to deal with practicalities such as dealing with media, survivors and in the longer term, insurers. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
Crisis management planning |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
|
Air Transport Marketing
| Module Leader |
|
|---|---|
| Aim |
To provide students with knowledge, understanding and skills in airline marketing. |
| Syllabus |
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
|
Airline Fleet Planning
| Module Leader |
|
|---|---|
| Aim |
To provide students with the fundamentals of the aircraft selection and fleet planning process and their impact on the financial viability of operators. |
| Syllabus |
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
|
Geopolitics and International Aviation
| Aim |
|
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
|
Air Transport Engineering - Maintenance Operations
| Aim |
|
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
• Optimisation of maintenance - Outsourcing/In House Maintenance; Application of Lean principles to Maintenance operations; Maintenance planning; Maintenance costs. • Human Factors in Aircraft Maintenance - Error types; Classification systems; Maintenance Error Management System; Maintenance Error Decision Aid (MEDA) & other resources. • Logistics and supply chain management. • Linkages between manufacturer, operator and maintenance organisation. • Continuing airworthiness management and Regulatory aspects (EASA Part M). • Health and usage monitoring, engine condition monitoring etc. |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to: 1. Describe the principles of reliability with direct relation to aircraft availability. 2. Outline a maintenance management programme, including the interface with operations, supply chain and cost issues. 3. Critically appraise the various aircraft maintenance philosophies used for in-service aircraft. 4. Develop a process for achieving continuing airworthiness management with the appropriate regulatory approval. |
Airport Operations
| Aim |
|
|---|---|
| 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. |
Air Transport Environmental Planning
| Aim |
|
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
|
| 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 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. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
|
| 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. |
Aviation Safety Management
| Aim |
To provide students with the fundamental knowledge and skills required to manage operational safety within the aviation industry. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
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| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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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. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Digital Airline Management
| Aim |
|
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
Developments of IT within the airline sector (e.g. blockchain)
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
|
Regional Aviation
| Aim |
|
|---|---|
| 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 a student should 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 plannin. 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. |
Individual Research Project
| Aim |
The award of a Masters degree resulting from a taught programme of study requires the student to submit a thesis based on a structured programme of research. This structured programme is typically delivered through collaboration with an industrial sponsor; although it may it may be driven by research interests of the School’s academics. The thesis should satisfactorily set out the results of the structured programme and demonstrate the candidate’s ability to conduct original investigations, to test ideas (whether the candidate’s own or those of others) and to obtain appropriate conclusions from the work. In most cases, the results of the research programme should be set in the context of related work previously published by others. The student is required to communicate their findings in a thesis and through a viva voce, oral presentation and a poster. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
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| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Identify a research question. 2. Develop project objectives. 3. Select and justify methodologies appropriate to the task. 4. Plan and execute a work programme with reference to professional project management processes (e.g. time management; risk management; contingency planning; resource allocation; health and safety). 5. Evaluate and critically analyse literature; analyse data, synthesise a discussion, generate conclusions. 6. Place the findings of the work into the context of the work of others. 7. Communicate findings in the form of a thesis, formal presentation and viva. |
Group Project
Teaching team
You will be taught by the largest academic group in the world specialising in air transport management. This multidisciplinary group includes a unique blend of air transport economists, marketing specialists and aeronautical engineers with strong publication records and industry experience.
How to apply
Applications need to be made online. Click the 'Apply now' button at the top of this page.
Once you have set up an account you will be able to create, save and amend your application form before submitting it.
