In this global world, airports play a vital role enabling cities and regional and national economies to compete. The provision of airport infrastructure is costly and there usually is a limited number of sites in a given area suitable for airport development. Proposals to build new airports or to undertake major redevelopments at existing airports attract considerable public attention. A modern airport also is a complex economic and legal entity in which a variety of stakeholders are required to cooperate to deliver what is in principle a very simple product – the transfer of passengers and cargo between air and ground transport. It is not surprising to find that there are many courses on airport management and a wealth of published material on almost every aspect of airport development and operations.
This course blends elements of economics and management to explore key policy and strategic questions about airports. The aim is to equip participants, whether their interest be in airports, airlines, service provision, investment or regulation, to apply sound reasoning and knowledge to address these key questions. On conclusion of the course, participants will appreciate the economic and managerial challenges that will shape the future of financing, managing and regulating airports. Though AVIA5035 – Airport Economics, Management & Policy can be undertaken as a stand-alone component of the MScTech (Aviation)/MAvMgmt programme it complements other courses, notably: AVIA5006 – Airport Planning; and AVIA5007 – Airport Operations Management.
