The growth of low-cost carriers, which generally demand a different level of service from airports, is creating the need for new and more cost-effective terminal design solutions and for alternative approaches to setting user charges.
The airport industry is currently facing major strategic, operational and business challenges. Significant airport developments are already being planned across the world to provide the capacity needed to meet future air traffic projections. However, there is widespread concern about the extent to which this expansion will be sustainable, given the adverse effects of airport operations on the local environment. Airports, therefore, need to develop solutions to this problem through the implementation of environmental mitigation policies and establish closer relations with their neighbours.
Privatisation and corporatisation of airports means that managers are now required to focus much more on revenue generation, cost minimisation and the pursuit of business development strategies. In order to meet the demands of shareholders and finance investment, much greater emphasis is being placed on the development of non-aeronautical revenues – this has major implications for the way airport terminals are designed. Airport managers also need to be aware of developments in the airline industry.
The growth of low-cost carriers, which generally demand a different level of service from airports, is creating the need for new and more cost-effective terminal design solutions and for alternative approaches to setting user charges. Airports are also complex operational entities that facilitate the movement of aircraft and passengers.
The activities of the many different players engaged in airport operations (both airside and landside) need to be coordinated in order to ensure that processes are efficient, customer service expectations are met and the environment is safe for passengers and for those working in airports. The airport industry, therefore, needs trained managers and planners that have acquired knowledge and skills in airport planning and management to enable them tackle some of the major challenges already highlighted.
Annual one-week short courses are offered on airport operations, airport strategic planning and the environment, airport business management, airport commercial revenue development and airport design. Most of them also form part of the full-time and part-time executive masters programmes in airport planning and management.
Short courses
Cranfield University’s Department of Air Transport offers a suite of short courses covering all aspects of managing airports, which is aimed at meeting the continuing professional development needs of employers in the sector. Annual one-week short courses are offered on airport operations, airport strategic planning and the environment, airport business management, airport commercial revenue development and airport design. Most of them also form part of the full-time and part-time executive masters programmes in airport planning and management. Short courses are particularly relevant for managers new to the industry or those seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge. Courses attract delegates from airport companies, management, planning and design consultancies as well as other suppliers that are linked to the sector.
Numbers are restricted on all courses to improve the learning environment, while presentations are delivered by a combination of university faculty and visiting speakers from industry. Each course will also run a workshop or group project to encourage interaction between participants. Cranfield University short courses generally attract participants from all over the world. This means that opportunities exist for delegates to learn from each other and to make useful contacts.
However, in some cases companies will have specific continuing professional development requirements for their managers tailored to their own training objectives and needs. Cranfield University can develop bespoke programmes for individual clients especially if there is a requirement to provide training to a group of managers. In recent years, bespoke airport-related courses have been designed for companies that manage Birmingham, Hyderabad and Vienna Airports.
