[Second Semester – Compulsory Course for Stream 2, Elective Course for Streams 1 & 3]
The environment in which the airline industry operates is dynamic and uncertain, significantly impacting operational functions. The “Airline Operations Management” course introduces students to the complex and essential aspects of overseeing airline operational activities within the contemporary aviation landscape. It provides a unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of the intricate processes inherent in managing airline operations today, both from a strategic and tactical perspective. By combining remote educational sessions, modern technological tools, case studies, and industry insights, the course investigates a range of critical topics necessary for airline operational functions. Its goal is to deliver a complete understanding of the parameters considered during decision-making in airline management. The course covers the foundations of operations planning and initially analyses the various route structures of airlines globally (linear, point-to-point, hub-and-spoke, hybrid, multi-point/diagonal/rolling hubs). It then provides an in-depth analysis of the art and science of network planning, examining topics such as market research and competitive analysis, strategic and tactical optimization, and demand forecasting, including qualitative methods, time series models, econometric models, and passenger choice modelling. Participants in this course will methodologically delve into flight scheduling and the significance of its critical components (frequencies, timings, aircraft types) for linking flight capacity with passenger demand. Furthermore, they will examine the dynamics of fleet assignment problems, covering aircraft routing and optimization strategies. On the tactical and operational dimension, the course will analyse short-term operations management, emphasizing objectives, purposes, and constraints while highlighting the multi-faceted challenges airlines face, operational control, maintenance scheduling, and business planning. Finally, the course encompasses a broad array of topics in crew scheduling, workforce planning, and ground operations. As a culmination, participants will gain insights and methodologies regarding the application of operational research in airlines, utilizing integer programming tools, advanced data analytics, deep learning, and artificial intelligence in airline operations.
Upon completing the Airline Operations Management course, participants will be able to:
- Discuss in depth the significance and contribution of each operational planning unit (network, crew, maintenance, ground operations) to the complex environment of airlines and at various management levels—strategic, tactical, and operational.
- Understand factors that impact airline operations on a global scale, propose appropriate risk mitigation strategies, and design responses to unforeseen situations.
- Analyse significant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), define their content, understand the underlying dynamic principles, and synthesize an advanced set of indicators through case analyses.
- Utilize their knowledge to create a flight schedule, considering multiple constraints and optimization objectives.
- Comprehend how big data, operational research, and analytical methodologies provide a competitive advantage to modern airlines.