3-day (24 hours) classroom course
Crises do not wait for ideal conditions. From operational incidents and safety events to cyberattacks, sustainability-related scrutiny, and viral customer complaints, aviation operates under intense public and media pressure. This practical, high-impact course equips participants to lead communications in high-pressure situations. Through realistic crisis simulations and media exercises, participants learn to respond in real time, communicate with clarity, manage media scrutiny, and protect organizational reputation—while aligning with operational realities and coordinating across key stakeholders. Reflecting today’s evolving risk landscape, the course includes modules on reputation management for low-visibility, high-impact issues; the use of Artificial Intelligence in crisis communications; sustainability communications, including managing credibility risks and greenwashing claims; and advanced media and digital monitoring tools to support rapid, informed response.
Course Code: ALC041VEEN03
Course format
Prerequisites
- Recommended level is Intermediate and Advanced.
- The recommended level of language proficiency is ICAO Operational Level 4 or the equivalent for courses held in languages other than English.
How to register
In-house training
To arrange in-house training for your company, please complete the
in-house training request form or
contact the Training Specialist in your region.
Upon completing this course, you will be able to:
- Lead crisis communications in high-pressure aviation scenarios, delivering clear and accurate messages under pressure
- Differentiate between crisis, emergency, and reputational issues and adapt responses as situations escalate
- Apply core crisis-communication principles aligned with operational realities, brand values, regulatory expectations, and ERP frameworks
- Coordinate communications across key stakeholders, including airlines, airports, regulators, and governments
- Manage media pressure by controlling interviews, preparing messaging, and selecting appropriate crisis spokespersons
- Assess and respond to complex and emerging threat environments, including cyber incidents, security risks, AI-related issues, and greenwashing
The key topics that are covered during this course include:
- Understanding today’s media landscape ▪ Crisis, emergency and reputation: defining the differences
- Crisis scenario planning and risk mapping
- Crisis communication strategy and alignment with emergency response plans
- Stakeholder communication and coordination
- Delivering clear and effective messages
- Spokesperson selection and preparation
- Media engagement and interview training
- Managing social media in a crisis
- Crisis monitoring and intelligence tools
- Reputation management in aviation
- Greenwashing
- AI in crisis communications: ally or adversary?
- Crisis case studies
- Integrated simulation and role-play: live media interviews and handling unexpected confrontations
Activities
- On-camera interview role-play, including recorded and live press briefings
- Interactive case studies from across the aviation sector
- Group discussions on the evolving crisis communications landscape, including emerging risks and technologies
- Performance evaluation, with feedback on strengths and areas for improvement
This course is recommended for:
- Communications and public relations professionals
- Aviation professionals involved in crisis response, customer experience, or sustainability communications
- Airline and airport operations managers (including station management)
- Ground handling managers and supervisors
- Airport authorities and operators
An IATA Certificate of Completion is awarded to participants obtaining a grade of 70% or higher on an assessment. A special distinction is awarded to participants obtaining a grade of 90% or higher.
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