module specification

The module introduces the role of commercial planning for commercial airlines and in particular the evaluation of new air route development.  The importance of route development cannot be underestimated for commercial airlines, but this can only be achieved by the careful evaluation of airline aircraft operations and fleet management.
Commercial planning requires all departments to engage with the objective of growing the airline network as follows-

1. Commercial airline planning requires and understanding of airlines see the growth prospects for their route networks
2. Forecasts of passenger demand are critical to the evaluation of the development of new routes at both the macro-scale and micro-scale.
3. Fleet management and the development of a long-term fleet acquisition is critical for long term objectives.
4. A focus on network development versus point-to-point networks or hub and spoke versus linear development.
5. The steps of route planning process are critically important to the development of profitable route networks, and this is central of the commercial airline sustainability.
6. Aircraft fleet management and aircraft performance features are again critical to the development of sustainable commercial airline operations and the module will evaluate these issues.

NONE

Airline industry outlook: - LO1
• The airline transport market – overview
• The nature of air travel demand
• The commercial airline industry
• Industry structure and organisation
• Market analysis – major carrier characteristics – the FSNC
• Regional carrier features / LCC features / Charter features
• What does it take to set up a new airline?
The management of commercial operations – roles and responsibilities - LO1
• Commercial departments structures
• Specialist functions in commercial departments
• Schedules management
• Fleet management
Steps in route planning - LO2
• Fleet planning approaches
• Corporate strategic planning tools
• Regulatory systems and the Freedoms of the Air
• Aero politics – international background to Open Skies
• Role of forecasting and scenario building
• What is the purpose of forecasting?
• The cut and thrust of airline planning
The tools of aircraft selection and fleet management - LO3
• Fleet management versus fleet planning
• Corporate and brand management associated with fleet procurement
• Aircraft performance from the economic perspective
• Aircraft performance from the practical limitations
• Fleet commonality benefits versus small aircraft types
Airport incentives for airline route start ups – LO3
• How can airports develop a strategy to engage with airlines for new routes
• Incentives for route start-up
• Airline requirements for start-up at new airports
• Marketing to airlines for new routes

The formal delivery of teaching and learning for this module will comprise an average of three contact hours per week across 12 teaching weeks, supplemented by additional enrichment weeks throughout the semester. Each week will typically include a two-hour interactive session employing a range of teaching and learning strategies. These include workshops, lectures, guest speakers, case study discussions, panel debates, video analysis, as well as scenario-based activities and real-time simulations. Peer-to-peer learning is embedded within the module, as students collaborate to develop practical solutions and critically assess their impact.
Group work is a core component of the learning experience, encouraging active engagement as students share their knowledge and experience through discussion and collaboration. In addition, a one-hour seminar each week will adopt a more focused, discussion-led approach to explore current themes and emerging trends within the aviation industry. This will be further enriched through input from alumni, who will offer career insights, and guest lecturers who provide industry-specific context.

The module also makes extensive use of interactive learning spaces, supporting dialogue between students and staff, and facilitating access to a range of academic resources, including journal articles, professional websites, and external materials. Active participation in class discussions and debates is encouraged, recognising the diverse professional backgrounds and experiences that students bring to the programme.
Students are expected to prepare in advance for each session by reviewing the module schedule, which will be shared online and summarised by tutors at the end of each lecture. This preparation involves independent research and reading around the weekly themes to enable meaningful contributions to class discussions and Q&A activities.

Opportunities for reflective learning are embedded throughout the module. Students are encouraged to consider their approaches to tasks and discussions, and to reflect on informal feedback received during lectures and in relation to their submitted assessments.

Upon completing successfully this module the student will demonstrate capability to:
LO1: Evaluate the process of airline commercial planning involving the determination of markets and
         industry trends involved with the selection of the appropriate markets (routes) for network
         development
LO2: Assess the critical steps in airline route start-ups and the tools required to make appropriate
         decisions for route and network development
LO3: Assess aircraft fleet management criteria and the fit of aircraft into operational requirements
         including economic and practical features of the equipment

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/4895F185-0CA0-937F-73D1-F3D8AE869154.html?lang=en-GB

Core Reading
Air transport management: an international perspective, edited by Lucy Budd; Stephen Ison, 2020
Travel Marketing, Tourism Economics and the Airline Product: an Introduction to Theory and Practice, by Mark Anthony Camilleri, 2018
Buying the big jets: fleet planning for airlines, by Paul Clark, 2017
Other reading
Managing airports: an international perspective, by Anne Graham, 2023
The airline business, by Rigas Doganis, 2006 [i.e. 2005
Changing planes: a strategic management perspective on an industry in transition, Vol.2: Strategic choice, implementation, and outcome, by S. Holloway, 1998
Fundamentals of strategy, by Richard Whittington; Duncan Angwin; Patrick Regnér; Gerry Johnson; Kevan Scholes, 2021
Airport management, by C. Daniel Prather; Richard N. Steele, 2015
Practical airport operations, safety, and emergency management: protocols for today and the future, by Jeffrey C. Price; Jeffrey S. Forrest, 2016
Airline marketing and management, by Stephen Shaw, 2011
Designing future-oriented airline businesses, by Nawal K. Taneja, 2014
Airlines in a post-pandemic world: preparing for constant turbulence ahead, by Nawal K. Taneja, 2021
Air transportation: a management perspective, by J. G. Wensveen, 2023
Airport planning and management, by Seth B. Young; Alexander T. Wells, 2019
Recommended Journals
Journal of air transport management, ©1994-
Journal of transport geography, by Institute of British Geographers. Transport Geography Study Group, c1993-
Journal of air transport studies, by Hellenic Aviation Society
Industry bodies examples
Customer portal | UK Civil Aviation Authority
Federal Aviation Administration
IATA
ICAO

Journals
Journal of Airline and Airport Management
Journal of Air Transport Management
Journal of Air Transportation
Journal of Transport Geography
International Journal of Civil Aviation
International Journal of Transport Management
Industry bodies examples
CAA  http://www.caa.co.uk/
FAA http://www.faa.gov/