Air Transport Management

Subject description

Air transport is a huge international industry and the demand for air transport of both goods and passengers is set to grow even more, with new airports being built all over the world. Airline operations and airline management courses equip graduates for a wide range of careers in the industry but just a few also give the opportunity to take a private pilot's licence if you can pass the necessary medicals and can pay (or get sponsorship) for your flight training.

Other honours degree courses focus on the operations and management of airlines and airports which could involve you in, for example, managing new airports, developing 'green' policies for airlines, putting new health, safety and security regulations in place - and perhaps even advising on the design of new airports.

Example areas of study

Air Transport courses differ widely but the following list of example topic areas give an indication of what you are likely to study in these courses. You will need to check the core and option modules of your preferred courses with the institutions that you wish to apply to make sure you know exactly what each course includes. The list below is intended as a guide.

• Accounting and finance
• Business and management
• Logistics and strategic supply chain management
• Statistics
• Information technology; computing, ticketing and database systems
• Airline marketing and management
• Airports policy and planning
• Airline and airport operations
• Management and operations
• Economics of airline and airport management
• Human resource management
• Systems and technology
• Air safety
• Airworthiness and certification
• Airline maintenance
• Aircraft operations
• Geography, tourism and leisure
• Globalisation and air transport
• Deregulation of the airline industry
• Aeronautical and airport design and engineering
• Engineering technology and systems
• Route planning
• Technical aspects of aircraft use and operation
• Aviation infrastructure, design and operation
• Air transport management
• Flight training (practical and theory) (depending on course)
• Work placement in aviation/airlines/airports (depending on course)
• Research methods

Some Career possibilities

The courses are vocational and aimed specifically at students who intend to pursue a career with an airline or airport operator, in airline management, airline operations, airport management, airport design and operation, air travel operations, air transport and freight planning, or as pilots in the air transport industry.

What do I need to get on a course?

The entry requirements for these courses vary from institution to institution so it is important that you check out exactly what is required of you in terms of grades and qualifications before you submit your application. The lower grades are generally for entry onto a Foundation Degree. The list below is intended as a guide.

• UCAS Tariff: 160 - 280 points generally including at least 1 science subject
• A-levels: CC - ABB including at least 1 science subject
• SQA Advanced Highers: BBC including a science subject
• International Baccalaureate: 28 - 32 including science subjects at Higher level
• BTEC National Diploma: MDD in a relevant subject, usually science-based
• For courses with pilot training you will also need a medical fitness certificate (CAA Class 1) from the Civil Aviation Authority, to pass an aptitude test, and to secure a place at an approved flight training school. You will also need to fund your pilot training: fees vary from £25,000-£75,000 but sponsorship may be possible.

For your application or interview, evidence of the following could be useful:

• Work experience/work shadowing with an airline or at an airport
• Active interest in flying, for example, as a member of a gliding or flying club, ballooning, making and flying model aircraft
• Relevant reading, for example Flight International, Flyer and Pilot magazines
• Good problem-solving, communication and numeracy skills
• Some familiarity with UK air transport issues, such as airport expansion plans, for example, Heathrow, Stansted, Luton and government policy on air transport

To find out more about the typical subjects you will study, potential career paths and further information useful for your application log-on to Course Discover at www.coursediscoveronline.co.uk*

*NB: Your school or college will need a subscription to Course Discover in order for you to gain access, for further information go to:www.coursediscover.co.uk