Module: Airport Operations Management

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Airport Operations Management
Module Code	MNA1144 (ITS: MT5152)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

Airport Operations are by their nature expansive and inherently interconnected. These operations are a critical component to the sustainable development of the international aviation industry. This module examines these operations at managerial level and discusses the role and importance of the management of this complex array of operations to the aviation industry. In doing so it gives students a firm foundation in the principles of airport operations as well as an understanding of management of various components ranging from aircraft to passenger to cargo handling.

Learning Outcomes

1. Illustrate a critical awareness of the range and associated characteristics of businesses involved in the operational functions of the airport and related air transport systems.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the management complexity required to operate the various components of Airport Operations.
3. Assess how different operational strategies impact the competitiveness of airports at national and international level
4. Appraise and critique challenges faced by the aviation industry and its future operational needs.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	30	Class
Directed learning	37.5	Student reading of course materials (texts, assigned readings, and assigned case studies) pre and post lecture
Assignment Completion	40	Completion of research for assignment and assignment preparation and documentation
Independent Study	80	Reading, Research and library work.
Total Workload: 187.5

Section Breakdown
CRN	11627	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Marina Efthymiou	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Group report on airport operations management	30%	n/a
Assignment	Individual essay on a contemporary issue for airports	70%	n/a

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

Fundamentals of airport operations
Internal and external environment of airports Main airport groups structure

Airside and Airfield Operations
Aviation Regulation Technical Requirements Operational Compliance

Airport strategy
Commercial revenue, airport expansion, concessions, aeronautical and not aeronautical revenue routes.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Anne Graham: 0, Managing Airports, 9781138285347
Norman Ashford,Pierre Coutu,John Beasley: 2012, Airport Operations 3/E, McGraw Hill Professional, 640, 0071775846
Mike Brown: 2022, Strategic Airport Planning, Managing Aviation Operations, 166, 9781032002354

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None

MSAL: replacement of MT5144