Training

• The impact of liberalization and globalization is apparent in the contemporary civil aviation environment.  Over the past few years, the intensification of competition has led to lower fares and/or to better service quality with important implications for all airline business models.  The most popular routes benefited largely from liberalization, as the traditional carriers had to fight the newly established low-fare airlines.  The latter have also developed a new relationship with airports flying to previously unserved areas empowering the regions and rewriting the terms of accessibility.  To survive in this environment, charter airlines had to restructure their business model adopting practices from both the traditional scheduled and the low fare airlines.  Regional airlines also try to defend their own niche, while all-business class carriers face numerous challenges.  Finally, cargo airlines are heavily affected by the international trade cycle.  Because of all the above, no airline can now afford to follow trends passively; in fact, all airlines need to develop solid competitive strategies.  Airport, ground handling and ancillary services issues also play an important role in this context. 
• This course examines and analyses the main airline business models in an integrated way and stresses the importance of developing competitive strategies as a factor of airline success.  Theory is complemented with examples and case studies to assist the participants in understanding and applying constructively aviation economics techniques in their workplace.  In conjunction with effective marketing strategies, every airline should understand the economics of the sector to develop a coherent cost, pricing and revenue enhancement strategy either independently or in the context of a strategic alliance.  In this way, airlines can secure their market presence, or even increase their share and become successful leaders in the industry.  Course attendance may therefore prove beneficial to airlines both in the short and the longer term.

The course should be attended primarily by senior and middle in charge of designing and implementing airline strategies at different levels.  Nonetheless, it will prove useful to all those seeking innovative ways to survive in the turbulent aviation environment and set the proper foundations for future success.  In this context, the course may also be of interest to airline partners in airports, ground handling services and the travel distribution system.

• The Airline Business Environment
• Principles of Strategic Management in the Airline Sector
• Cost Structure and Demand Issues in the Airline Sector
• Assessing the Competitive Position in the Airline Market
• Regulation, Liberalisation and Competition in Air Transport
• Full Service Network Carriers
• Low Fare Airlines
• Charter Airlines
• Regional Airlines
• All-Business Class Airlines
• Cargo Airlines
• Airline Alliances:  Principles and Implications
• Future Airline Business Models: Convergence or Divergence?