Aviation and Airport Management

Aviation and airport management is a specialist degree that addresses the operational, commercial and strategic dimensions of one of the world's most complex industries. Aviation connects cities, countries and economies across the globe, and airports are among the most operationally demanding environments in commerce, requiring the coordination of airlines, ground handlers, security, customs, retail and passenger services within rigorous safety and regulatory frameworks. Understanding how this system functions and how it is managed is the core business of this degree.

At Bedfordshire, this three-year full-time programme develops your knowledge of the aviation industry and airport operations from a management perspective. You will study airline management, airport planning and operations, aviation safety and security, air traffic management, the regulatory environment and the commercial dimensions of the industry, including route development, revenue management and the economics of air transport. You will also develop the broader business and management skills that are needed to operate effectively within large, complex service organisations.

The aviation industry is increasingly data-driven and the programme reflects this, developing your ability to work with the information and analytical tools that modern airport and airline management relies on. The industry is also undergoing significant change in response to sustainability pressures, and an understanding of the environmental challenges and emerging technologies facing aviation is part of a comprehensive education in the field.

Graduates work in airlines, airports, airport authorities, aviation consultancies, ground handling companies, air traffic management organisations and government bodies responsible for aviation regulation. Roles in operations management, commercial planning, safety management, airport retail and passenger experience are all common destinations. Postgraduate study in aviation management or business administration is a natural option for those who want to develop their careers further.