Overview

Fully accredited by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), this specialised business degree focuses on the dynamic world of airport and airline business operations.
It is designed for those potentially seeking a career in some aspect of the management of airlines, airports or air transport services.

We offer a highly immersive experience featuring industry placement opportunities and guest lectures, previously from airline CEOs, airline start-up gurus and other senior experts. As well exciting industry field trips overseas, previously to Hong Kong, Canada and the UAE, within the UK past students have visited the Monarch Airlines headquarters at Luton Airport, Birmingham Airport, Heathrow Airport, DHL at East Midlands, Monarch Engineering, the National Air Traffic Services, and many others.

You’ll have opportunities to access to our cutting-edge educational and industry simulation software and aviation data resources, unique to Coventry at undergraduate level. You will also have access to our extensive media library of aviation-specific video and audio material on topical subjects, such as the potential location for an extra runway in the London area.

Course information

The programme is structured to assimilate a variety of academic backgrounds, so the first year aims to provide a basic grounding in all aspects of airport and airline business operations, including airline strategy, finance and economics. An understanding of business information technology and international business is provided as background.

In the second year, we will focus on the key principles of airline operations, airport passenger and cargo operations, aviation safety, security and emergency planning and aircraft maintenance management, as well as their practical applications at an operations level within the context of various aviation organisations and institutes. The interdependence of the separate areas of air transport, airline terminal functions and logistics operations are explored to provide a depth of knowledge and practical skill in dealing with management problems.

Following your second year, you will have an option to apply for a one-year professional work placement or study abroad in a partner institution. Past students have undertaken placements at dozens of locations, such as TUI, PrivateFly, Birmingham Airport, Heathrow Airport, British Airways, Anna.aero, Airbus, Airbus Defence, Brussels Airlines and Space and Star Alliance.

During your final year, we will focus on a number of specialist aviation strategic areas, complemented by supporting subjects. At this stage, we take a strategic and international view of the aviation industry and its supply chain issues, investigating current and future issues. For example, in recent years, we have considered the huge impact of events, such as those recently caused by acts of terrorism, health scares and natural disasters, which airlines have no control over and yet which significantly impact upon them and their customers.

The skills of project management are taught and practised as part of a team, as well as within the context of individual research and development. We place particular emphasis on developing your skills in the use of IT systems, analytical techniques and the application of all taught aviation knowledge, which are progressively developed throughout your studies.

The course culminates with your individual research project. Past students have examined the sustainability of long-haul low-cost carriers, the rise and development of all-business-class airlines, and the usefulness nowadays of the in-flight safety demonstration.

Why choose this course?

This degree focuses on practical aviation industry operations, placing an emphasis on air transport management as a system of interrelated activities and relationships to ensure safety and security of passengers or goods, increasingly dependent on the critical analysis of complex data and information technology.

As such, we aim to provide a thorough understanding of the aviation industry – the rationales of airport operation management, airport planning and design, airline yield management, airline fleet planning, route management and scheduling, passenger and cargo operations, air transport safety, security and emergency planning, aircraft maintenance, airline strategy, finance and economics, sustainable development of air transport, as well as the real-life strategies for airlines and airport operators at corporate and business levels.

A significant amount of project work at each level is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems in the aviation industry. We also offer extensive placement opportunities and graduate schemes within industry, which have in the past included British Airways, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific Airways, Eastern Airways, Easy Jet, CityJet, Airbus, London Heathrow Airport, Birmingham Airport Ltd, Coventry Airport/Patriot Aviation, Servisair, Skyguide, Star Alliance, Eurocopter, TAROM, TUI Travel, UBM Aviation Routes and many others (subject to application and availability).

Career opportunities can be diverse and plenty; our graduates have gone on to work for airport operators, business jet operators, tour operators, aircraft manufacturers, air navigation service providers, airport maintenance providers, aircraft engine, ground handling companies and manufacturers and service providers.

You will be taught by academic staff who have decades of relevant aviation industry experience, both here in the UK and overseas, in airport, airline and tour operator management, commercial flying, fire and rescue and more. Their research expertise ranges from airline strategy to global issues and human factors in aviation. Recent research has included comprehensive research into low-cost subsidiaries of full-service airlines and whether these are a good idea to compete more effectively.