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Do you share an interest in aviation? Do you want to gain basic knowledge of the aviation industry? And do you want to dive deeper into the management models of this industry? In this minor you will be taken on a journey through the exciting business of aviation: the way it was, is and will be in the future. From an airline- (economic- and customer), airport- and business travel perspective. You will gain the skills, strategies and mindset that are required to work in this industry.

What is it all about?
The minor encompasses three modules, ‘The Runway’, ‘High Level’ and ‘Airlines, Websites and Systems’, and two projects. During the modules you will be introduced to the basics of the airline industry and its stakeholders. You will learn everything about airlines, the aircraft market, societal responsibilities, and safety. We will also look at the aircraft itself. Think of topics such as aircraft types, weather effects, aircraft performance and aircraft design. You will also get acquainted with the financial side of the industry. Here you can think of topics such as operating costs, capital costs, cost components (fuel, insurance, etc.) and overhead costs. Furthermore, we will look at networks and links, timetabling and booking patterns. And finally, you will learn about several of the important market developments.

See ‘topics’ for a more detailed list of all the topics and go to ‘Structure of the minor’ for more details regarding the modules and projects.

Practical implementation
This minor has a company-based focus, especially during the projects in block 2 and 3. During these projects you can consult the commissioner of the assigned aviation company. Hereby, you will get truly acquainted with the way of working in the aviation industry. Furthermore, this minor will provide practical information that is essential when you have the ambition to work in the aviation industry.

What’s in it for me?
The aviation industry is a big industry that reveals issues that are more relevant to our society than ever. During this minor we will discuss these issues and motivate you to think of creative solutions to these problems. And although the aviation industry is a big industry, this minor successfully explains everything you need to know about it. After completion of this minor, you will feel confident with your very first job in the field! Consider jobs such as a sales representative for an airline company, an engagement specialist for an airport management company such as the Royal Schiphol Group or an aviation broker for a broker company.

At the end of this minor, you will:

• Be ready for the aviation business
• Understand the business process of aviation management

• A heart for aviation
• Propaedeutic certificate obtained.

A range of supporting materials such as websites, online videos and PowerPoint slides are made available in MS Teams.

Oral exam, presentation, report and project.

Competencies
This minor provides you with a range of competencies. After this minor you will be able to:  

• Understand the basics of the aviation industry.
• Understand e-commerce in aviation.
• Demonstrate the drive and initiative to quickly seize opportunities and/or come up with creative solutions.
• Analyse trends and data and apply this knowledge to arrive at the right marketing strategy and/or market approach.
• Recognize the significant effect of tourist behaviour at destinations and feel a social responsibility to consider this effect.
• Recognize the value chain in aviation.
• Identify the stakeholders and their interests.
• Plan scenarios for airlines.
• Manage airline projects.

Topics
The overall goal of this minor is to learn and to understand how the industry of aviation works and to understand and advice stakeholders from the industry about their future needs. This encompasses: 

Introduction to Aviation Market 

• History of aviation.
• Players in the market, the primary characteristics of this market and its developments and forecasts.
• Legislative structures, regulations, treaties and passenger rights.
• Safety requirements and societal and environmental impact of the industry.
• Aviation organizations: IATA, ICAO, AEA, RAA, ERAA, ELFAA, Eurocontrol.

Aircraft characteristics  

• Aircraft types and their characteristics.
• External factors affecting the operations (weather, noise, etc.).
• Aircraft design parameters.

Cost structures of aircraft operations 

• Definitions of different types of costs.
• Ground rules for aircraft cost comparisons.
• Costs of aircraft leasing versus aircraft ownership.
• Detailed cost components such as fuel, crew, maintenance etc.

Networks and links

• Hub & spoke versus point-to-point operations.
• Traditional competition versus modern hub competition.
• Feeder networks and long-haul networks.

Timetabling

• Turn-around times, delays and schedule adjustments.
• Slot restrictions and slot on-time performance.
• Effects of time zones and airport characteristics on scheduling.

Market developments

• Operating restrictions and the role of the governments.
• Competition between airlines and traditional competition versus modern hub competition.
• Tariff structures.
• Distribution.
• Types of cabin classes, tickets and booking patterns.

Useful sources Aviation Industry:
www.iata.org
www.icao.int
www.airbus.com
www.boeing.com
www.klm.com
www.schiphol.nl
www.lvnl.nl
www.eurocontrol.int
www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl
www.flightglobal.com
https://www.luchtvaart.org
https://aviabanen.nl/

Structure of the minor
The weight of this minor is 30 ECTS and it consists of 3 blocks encompassing 3 modules and 2 projects:

Block 1
Module 1. The Runway (Explore the world of aviation) (10 ECTS)
This module is an introduction to the basics of the airline industry. Each week you will become acquainted with one of the stakeholders within the industry: the manufactures, airlines, airports and customers. We will not only look at the stakeholders separately, but also at how the stakeholders relate to and interact with each other.

Block 2
Module 2. High Level (In-depth topics) (5 ECTS)
During the second module we will zoom into one specific stakeholder: the airlines. You will receive essential information that will help you make better management decisions when working in an airline company. We will start this module with a few business models, and we take a look at the costs and revenues. After that, you will learn about cargo and distribution. And finally, we will look at the relevance of sustainability for the industry.

Project 1. Cases from the industry (5 ECTS)
During the two projects you will assess an assigned problem via the six-step model. During project 1 you will have to understand, define and find the causes of the problem. This will all be demonstrated in a creative and ‘with flair’ written project. Then, the cause of the problem has to be identified. After that you will discuss and assess the problem.

Block 3
Project 2. (Cases from the industry) (5 ECTS)
During project 2 you will continue to work on this problem. Now you will formulate solutions to the problem. It is important to be critical towards this solution and your decisions need to be justified. Finally, you will write down the solution in a creative written report that comprises an action plan.

Module 3. Airlines, Websites and Systems (5 ECTS)
In this module, we will look at the business-to-consumer branch with a focus on passengers, not freight. Digitization, data streams and online sales play a crucial role here. Direct selling online to the consumer is close to the 93% of all tickets. This module is about systems, bringing together data and the connections between those. We want you to have a basic idea of the possibilities, to know concepts and see developments. This mainly has to do with optimal and flex-pricing, with the organization, with marketing and, for example, inventory management.

Teaching method(s)
The teaching methods vary per module. We offer a variety of (guest) lectures, workshops, feedback sessions and reading materials. There will also be a few field trips involved.

International context
Aviation is a topic with, naturally, international importance. This course will emphasize this international quality by presenting topics and cases largely from an international perspective. Also, you will work in an international environment and in groups with students from various backgrounds.

Costs
160 euros for the field trips. Reading materials will be provided by the teachers