The module introduces the key themes and understanding for the development of new routes. The importance of route development cannot be underestimated for commercial airlines and is a combination of issues such as the markets available and the ability of the airline to launch operations into the market successfully by understanding the critical factors such as aircraft selection and performance and finance.

• The industry structure and outlook are critical to understanding how airlines assess their market opportunities, so this requires global knowledge of the industry.
• The management of commercial airline operations is the heartbeat of the ability to grow a profitable network and the module introduces an understanding of the specialist functions within the department.
• 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.
• Aircraft performance features are again critical to the development of sustainable commercial airline operations and the module will evaluate these features of aircraft.

All successful airlines need to master their market position and technical competencies to ensure success and the management of ‘fares’ is central to this. Pricing and revenue management are at the heart of every airline’s competency and thus of paramount importance. Strategic positions require airlines to understand the competitive environment and the ‘price’ points for both leisure and business travel segments. Pricing and revenue management are therefore critical to survival in the global air travel market.

The module aims to provide students with:

• An understanding of the importance of the ‘pricing’ airline products and balancing revenue against costs
• Development of the pricing strategies and revenue management strategies for different types of airlines business models
• To appreciate the opportunities for new revenue streams from ancillary revenues and the de-bundling of airline products

The module also aims to develop students' skills, in particular: academic study skills; IT; literacy; applied analysis; entrepreneurship, critical thinking; interpersonal and team-working; communication, including oral presentation; and problem solving

Human factors (HF) and our understanding of its effects on safety performance continues to evolve and develop. The human element is vital to the safe and efficient operations of all aspects of the aviation industry. Recently, a better understanding of human behaviour has resulted in significant safety benefits with human factors discipline forming a cornerstone of every aviation safety management programme. This module looks into how an understanding of operational personnel attitudes, behaviours and mental wellbeing can help reduce HF risks to aviation safety.

Another interesting area which explains some of the reasons why operational personnel make errors is Aviation Psychology. Aviation psychology involves the study of human behaviours, actions, cognitive and emotional processes in the aviation field and also investigates the psychological problems encountered in the work place. In this module psychological principles will also be applied to the aviation industry to look into the effects of sleep patterns, central nervous systems, mental functioning etc. on the behaviour and performance of operational personnel.

The module aims to provide students with:

• An understanding of elements of aviation psychology and human factors and their application in the aviation industry
• Knowledge on some of the issues facing crew interaction within the commercial aviation industry
• Knowledge to apply models to identify enabling factors which might lead to aviation incidents and accidents
• An understanding of factors which affect the mental stability of operational personnel

The module also aims to develop students' skills, in particular: academic study skills; literacy; applied analysis; critical thinking; interpersonal and team-working; communication, including oral presentation; and problem solving.

The aviation industry has a huge number of interdependent factions within it and this leads to vast operational complexities. This together with a highly regulated industry, a competitive and dynamic external environment and a substantial level of Government involvement has the potential to expose airlines and airports alike, to a vast array of risks and uncertainties, both internally and externally.

This module examines the key aspects of safety and security issues as they pertain to the aviation accidents and incidents including regulations and processes currently employed in the sector. It examines the role of regulators and relevant Government agencies and international organisations in promoting effective safety and security management through the use of Safety Management Systems (SMS) and Security Management Systems (SeMS).

The module aims to provide students with:

• An understanding of current best practice that is being promoted by competent regulators and international aviation organisations in enhancing safety and security of the industry.
• Knowledge and understanding of the systems and procedures used to make commercial flying an exceptionally safe form of transport via an understanding of SMS.
• Tools that can be used to select and implement techniques for the identification, quantification and management of hazards, threats and risks.
• To comprehend how SeMS procedures can be integrated into airport and airline operations.

The module also aims to develop students' skills, in particular: academic study skills; literacy; applied analysis; critical thinking; interpersonal and team-working; communication, including oral presentation and problem solving.

The aviation and travel industry has a huge number of interdependent factions within it and this leads to vast operational complexities. This together with a highly regulated industry, a competitive and dynamic external environment and a substantial level of Government involvement has the potential expose this sector and, airlines and airports alike, to a vast array of risks and uncertainties, both internally and externally. Because of the very nature of those risks, there are many uncertainties and disruptive events and this module seeks to understand how to put in place a co-ordinated, effective response that mitigates the effect of such events and minimises harm to an organisation’s stakeholders.

This module will explore the types of risk that the aviation and travel sector are exposed to and, what possible solutions might be put forward to mitigate against these. The module also seeks to understand what crisis management is and how to effectively apply it to the aviation industry.

More specifically the module will help develop the students understanding of how to assess, evaluate, mitigate and monitor risks as they pertain to the sector.

The module aims are as follows;

• To develop students understanding of theoretical modules for risk and crisis management
• To allow students to identify good practice and lessons learnt from both the sector itself and, related industries.
• To build a practical knowledge base of the resource requirements and facilities necessary for airlines, airports and the travel industry to operate as effectively and efficiently as possible in sub optimal business environments
• To enable students to assess risks and develop robust business contingency plans to mitigate against such risks

This module will address the critical issue of how current thinking on climate change and sustainability will impact on businesses and organisation. The need to create more sustainable organisations and businesses is fundamental to current and future organisational development strategies. It is necessary for students to understand the growing influence of the sustainability agenda on industry. This influence takes on many forms, from government policies and international agreements to the measuring the impacts of organisational practices on the ecology and communities. In the future, organisations, businesses, communities and individuals will be expected to understand and take responsibility for their economic, environmental and social impacts. This module will examine the current and future challenges. It will equip students to deal with the challenge of creating sustainable forms of business that operate within ecological and socio-economic limits.

It will explore the sustainability context, and how business practices will need to evolve to reflect the realities of operating within a globalised trading system that is striving to apply sustainability principles.

The overarching aim of the module is to ensure that students develop a full understanding of what is meant by sustainability, who decides what constitutes sustainability principles and how these principles are applied. It will explore the varied tools and techniques used to apply sustainability principles, by governments, business and communities, and the challenges and conflicts these present. Such appreciation will be developed progressively via more specific aims which are:

• To engage with the growing international debate and practice around sustainability, business and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
• To evaluate how this will challenge organisations and business.
• To examine tools and techniques for evaluating and implementing of sustainability
• To analyse the evolving policy frameworks within which business operates.
• To understand how changing environmental realities may affect business practice

The module also aims to assist students in the acquisition of the following skills:

1. Academic reading
2. Researching
3. Problem-solving and decision making
4. Critical thinking and writing
5. Application of knowledge and presenting data
6. Academic writing

Consultancy is big business and the sector continues to experience strong growth. The UK consultancy industry alone employs more than 80,000 professionals and is worth an estimated £12 billion per annum; making it the second largest consultancy base in the world.

Management consulting involves engaging with stakeholders to provide objective, specialist advice. It is concerned with diagnosing issues and inefficiencies, solving problems, improving performance and implementing solutions to deliver complex change, maximise growth and to create value for organisations.

The Practice of Consultancy develops the practical research and consultancy skills required for a career in Business Analyses and Management Consultancy and prepares students for the final year Consultancy Project. Specifically, the module introduces research methods for consultancy and aims to develop a practical understanding of the tools and techniques of problem analysis and issue clarification. A range of business frameworks are applied to structure diagnostic analyses and thinking, whilst data, metrics and analytics are evaluated to inform the process and to provide the client with evidence-based solutions. Finally, this module aims to develop students’ communication skills through the preparation of a report to present the outcome of the consultation to their client.

Management consulting covers a broad range of activities and, to be effective, a consultant needs to be client-oriented and solution-focused. Expertise, resourcefulness, an analytical mind, creative thinking, an ability to manage relationships, empathy and excellent communication skills are essential to building trust and ensuring recommendations are implemented. By taking an applied, problem-solving approach, this module encourages students to enhance their competencies in these areas.

Transferable skills

Student will develop a range of key skills and knowledge, including:

• Critical evaluation, problem identification and problem-solving skills
• Research skills (quantitative and qualitative research)
• Numeracy
• Analytic, divergent and creative thinking
• Communication (critical reading, interviewing, listening, negotiating, advising, presenting and report writing skills)

Selling is an essential function of business. This module provides students with the opportunity to gain and develop essential selling and negotiation knowledges and skills. It will particularly consider the international perspective in selling to prepare the students for the importance of taking into account the richness of our current global context.

The module supports several courses, as it addresses an important marketing management function that includes understanding the selling function and developing it to improve the overall business effectiveness. There has been regular research confirming employers’ need for employees with selling skills as they argue that ‘selling is a life-blood of businesses’ since businesses cannot survive without effective results from this important function. Accordingly, the understanding of this business function should give students the edge over other students without such knowledge when seeking employment opportunities. Past students of this module have confirmed the importance of undertaking this module in helping them find a job. Additionally, selling has a broader perspective as it enables students to learn how to be more persuasive while remaining ethical in their business transactions.