Understand how the airline industry works with this introduction to its commercial, financial and regulatory structures.

If you’re a new airline recruit or an aviation company with airline clients, this course will bring you up to speed on key airline business practices to help you succeed in the industry. Learn about the internal organization of airlines, the airport environment, and the external bodies that regulate them to understand what shapes airline strategies.

Available as: Classroom & In-Company course
Duration: 5 days (40 hours)
Recommended level: Entry-level
Prerequisites: If you would like basic training about airlines, we recommend you take Introduction to the Airline Industry (distance learning) course.

Download full outline (pdf)

This course will give you a solid understanding of:

• An airline’s organizational structure 
• Airline business models and financial structure
• Common terminology used throughout the industry
• Legal and regulatory framework

This course is recommended for:

• Representatives from aviation-related companies conducting business with airlines
• Airline business unit managers seeking to learn more about an airlines organizational structure
• Managers new to the aviation industry

Airline finance and economics

• Measuring traffic, capacity, revenue and cost
• Airline profitability
• Airline finance departments and what they do
• Proration and interlining

Airline marketing strategies

• How airlines conduct market analysis
• Choosing destinations

Airline strategy and planning processes

• Strategies and action plans
• Performance measurement and the Balanced Score Card (BSC)
• Network models

Airline cost structure

• Operating vs. non-operating costs
• Overview of fleet planning

Airport development and trends

• Airport ownership and funding
• Airport expansion

Environmental challenges

• Sustainability
• Environmental policy

Aviation industry overview

• Regulatory structure
• IATA priorities and the industry
• Future trends

Download full outline (pdf)

An IATA Certificate of Completion is awarded to participants obtaining a grade of 70% or higher on all exercises and exams. A special distinction is awarded to participants obtaining a grade of 90% or higher.

About IATA Classroom Training
We train more than 10,000 aviation professionals annually through our global network of IATA Training Centers, Regional Training Partners, and in private in-company sessions. Our 200+ classroom courses are developed using IATA’s unique industry insight and delivered by IATA Instructors, experts in their fields. More

Further training
Graduates of this course can apply for the Harvard ManageMentor (HMM) distance learning program at a special graduate price.

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