Handbook

Globally, airports play a vital role in enabling cities, and regional and national economies, to compete. As part of the modern airport system, 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. However, the airport environment that supports this transfer is a complex economic and legal entity, which relies on a carefully managed interrelationship of processes, systems, development and operations to successfully meet its objectives.

This course blends elements of economics and management to explore key policy and strategic questions about airports. As there is no presumed prior knowledge of airport operations and management, nor a background in economics for this course, students are first provided with a foundation understanding of the airport environment to gain confidence in their understanding of the various components contributing to its complexity. The course will then explore economic concepts related to the foundation concepts introduced, before providing opportunities to practically apply this acquired knowledge within the context of modern airport management through case study-based learning, checkpoint exercises, and assessments. Students will also have the opportunity to test their understanding and skills throughout the course and develop skills transferrable to their own careers in the aviation industry.