Module: Airline Economics & Finance

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Airline Economics & Finance
Module Code	FBA1011 (ITS: EF335)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The airline industry is a regulated industry which, while neeed to be profitable, must also respect safety and legal concerns. This module will provide students with an overview of the industry from primarily an economics perspective. This module introduces students to the economic analysis of the aviation industry and of a number of policies currently affecting the industry (liberalisation, regulation, competition). A number of airline-related finance topics are also covered.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the business implications of the international change in how airlines are regulated, starting in the 1970s.
2. Discuss the special features of pricing in the airline industry.
3. Explain why charges are regulated at some airport and air traffic control companies, and understand the main methods used.
4. Understand the role of competition policy in regard to the airline industry.
5. Be familiar with some important aspects of airline finance including financial statements, asset valuation, and ownership arrangements.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Airline Economics and Finance
Fieldwork	22	Preparation for class
Assignment Completion	15	Research and construction of set assignments
Independent Study	30	Reading, research and library work
Independent Study	36	Exam preparation
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10680	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Mary Kerins	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Poster presentation	Eportfolio to be produced on one of the topics covered in the module	50%	Sem 1 End
Written Exam	n/a	50%	Sem 1 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

The structure of the industry before and after deregulation

Airline pricing under price discrimination

Airline mergers and EU competition policy

EU regulation of airport charges

The Single European Sky (SES) and air traffic control

Airline finance 1 Financial Statements and Asset Values

Airline Finance 2: airline ownership and privatisation.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Bilotkach, Volodymyr: 2017, The Economics of Airlines, 2nd, Agenda publishing, UK,
Doganis, Rigas: 0, The Airline Business,
Wensveen, John: 0, Air Transportation: A Management Perspective,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None