Module: Digitalisation & Business Analytics in Aviation

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Digitalisation & Business Analytics in Aviation
Module Code	MNA1146 (ITS: MT5242)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

Technology and the rise of big data and data analytics are having a significant impact on business decision-making, including operations. This microcredential module introduces participants to the concepts of digitalisation of aviation operations and the principles of data analytics. The main objective of this micro- credential module is to introduce the student to the main digital technologies used in aviation and the fundamental tools and techniques of using data analytics ethically to support sustainable business decisions. This micro is benefited by industry engagement and involvement in the form of guest lectures and case studies.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the key concepts of big data and data analytics, the business case for data analytics, and how it interacts with international aviation operations and strategies in practice
2. Describe the types of analytical tools and statistical modelling techniques available to analyse business data and assess their suitability for different types of business problems.
3. Explain what the digital transformation is, and how the digitalisation of services and products has evolved within the aviation industry
4. Critically evaluate different digitalisation options, their push and pull factors as well as their value for the industry

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	21	Lecture (on-campus and synchronous online)
Assignment Completion	76	Completion of research for assignment and assignment preparation and documentation
Directed learning	60	Reading assigned materials for class, such as cases, articles and web sources.
Independent Study	30.5	Reading, research, library work
Total Workload: 187.5

Section Breakdown
CRN	11629	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	Viktoriia Ivannikova	Module Teacher	Marina Efthymiou

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	The students need to develop/discuss a case study for an aviation company on the digitalization of operations and the use of business analytics principles.	100%	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

Introduction to Big Data and Analytics
What are Big Data and Data Analytics? Growth of Big Data; Business Case for Big Data; Barriers to using Big Data, including Ethical

Concerns; Big Data and aviation.

Data Types and Structure and data analytics tools
What are the different types of data types? What is the difference between structured and unstructured data? Which types of data sources are aviation businesses using to make decisions? How can digital operations be integrated with data analytics? An overview of the variety of Statistical Software, Data Programmes, Databases & languages, Business Intelligence Tools, and Visualisation Tools available to analyze business data.

Introduction to digitalization
What is digitalisation? What is the business case for digitalization? Which operations can be digitalized and with what criteria? What are the push and pull factors?

Digitalisation in aviation practices
What is BlockChain? Biometrics for airport security? Airport 3.0 for optimized flow monitoring? Internet of Things (IoT)? AI and VR for pilot training? 5G?

Case Studies and Guest Lectures
A variety of case studies and guest lectures focused on how aviation is/can be digitalized and how data analytics is applied in practice in the aviation world.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Azizul Hassan,Nor Aida Abdul Rahman: 2022, Digital Transformation in Aviation, Tourism and Hospitality in Southeast Asia, Routledge, 9781032324654
Thomas L. Seamster,Barbara G. Kanki: 0, Aviation Information Management, 9781138258280
Soraya Sedkaoui,Mounia Khelfaoui,Nadjat Kadi: 0, Big Data Analytics, 9781771889568
SERGEY V. SAMOILENKO: 2022, Digitalization, Routledge, 196, 9781032114095

Articles:

Efthymiou, M., McCarthy, K., Markou, C., & O’Connell, J. F.: 2022, An exploratory research on blockchain in aviation: the case of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) organizations, Sustainability, 14(5), 2643, 0
2021: The use of biometric technology at airports: The case of customs and border protection (CBP), International Journal of Information Management Data Insights, 1(2), 0, 2
The adoption of network-centric data sharing in air traffic management: Research Anthology on Reliability and Safety in Aviation Systems, Spacecraft, and Air Transport,

Other Resources

None