Seminars on Air Transport at the University of Westminster

UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER

AIR TRANSPORT SHORT COURSES 2026

The University offers a wide range of air transport short courses that are ideal for professionals working in the industry or individuals wishing to extend their knowledge without studying for a formal qualification. Some of the teaching is combined with our Masters programme (MSc Air Transport Planning and Management) and if you subsequently decide to enrol for the MSc it is possible to register for certain modules on an assessment only basis if you have undertaken the relevant short course(s) within the last five years. Please contact us for further details or if you have any questions about the short courses.

dennisn@westminster.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 350 66559

The Course Leaders are:

Dr Nigel Dennis, Senior Research Fellow, University of Westminster

Dr Frances Kremarik, Senior Lecturer, University of Westminster

Prof Andrew Cook, Professor of Air Traffic Management, University of Westminster

Su Jayaraman, Lecturer, University of Westminster

For more details and to register please visit our website

www.westminster.ac.uk/transport-and-logistics-short-courses/air-transport

ALL THE COURSES BELOW ARE RUNNING ON THE DATES INDICATED. IF THE COURSE IS SHOWING AS UNAVAILABLE OR TO BE SCHEDULED ON THE WEBSITE THEN PLEASE EMAIL airtransport.shortcourses@westminster.ac.uk & COPY ME dennisn@westminster.ac.uk TO REQUEST A PLACE. FEES ARE CURRENTLY AROUND GBP 300 TO 350 PER DAY. Speaker availability may be subject to change but every effort will be made to maintain the programme shown here.

AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

23rd-24th March 2026

This course ranges from presenting the principles of air traffic management through to introducing advanced future concepts. Flow management and current flight planning are explained, to set the context for aviation meteorology, environmental impact modelling, and delay trends and costs. ATM performance assessment and regulatory perspectives are discussed, followed by future concepts such as green route charging and flight prioritisation. A dedicated session on essential data sources and examples of tools concludes the course. In a rapidly-moving domain, up-to-date reference materials are provided and the lectures draw extensively on the team’s current SESAR project collaborations with industry.    

AIR TRANSPORT SCHEDULING AND NETWORK PLANNING

25th-27th March 2026

This course examines the key factors of network planning and airline scheduling. Hubbing issues are investigated with consideration to constraints and challenges to network efficiencies and operations. The evaluation of new routes is explored. The implications of various aircraft, frequency, schedule and route choices are examined within the context of network optimisation. The course is aimed at airline industry professionals in network planning, scheduling, commercial development, aviation consultants, airport professionals and aviation policy makers.

Key Speakers include:

Dr Guillaume Burghouwt, Strategist, Royal Schiphol Group

Kelly Ison, Formerly Chairman Pilot Integration Committee, American Airlines

Neil Cottrell, Chair Heathrow Airline Operators’ Committee and formerly Head of Planning, British Airways

AIR TRANSPORT MARKETING:

Practical Techniques and Strategies

15th-16th June 2026

Air transport marketing principles and practices are being examined and re-assessed as the industry strives to become more commercially effective in an increasingly competitive and uncertain business environment. This seminar aims to create a forum to discuss the key elements of marketing strategy for airlines and airports and to address some of the current and future challenges. It includes a short workshop where participants develop a marketing strategy for an airline that has faced recent challenges.

REGIONAL AND LOW-COST AIR TRANSPORT:

Opportunities and Challenges

17th-19th June 2026

Low-cost airlines, together with regional carriers using small aircraft have been some of the most dynamic sectors of the aviation industry in recent years. These are characterised by their use of less congested airports away from the major hubs. Such services are often underdeveloped in comparison with the trunk routes and many new markets are being opened up. Good air transport links are also of vital importance to the economy of a region. This seminar considers some of the roles that regional and low-cost air services can fulfil and addresses the challenges in realising this potential traffic.

Key Speakers include:

Andrea Chiesura, Network Planning, Air Dolomiti/Lufthansa Group

John Strickland, Director JLS Consulting

Ken Stevens, Formerly Director Corporate Real Estate and Airport Affairs, Alaska Air Group

MARKET RESEARCH FOR AIR TRANSPORT

Practical techniques and analysis

2nd-3rd November 2026

The air transport industry is constantly striving to become more commercially effective in an increasingly competitive and uncertain business environment. Market research is of particular importance to this, providing vital information to enable demand-led decisions to be made. This seminar aims to create a forum for airports and airlines that will discuss how to effectively conduct and assess market research. A key feature is the introductory workshop on Monday 27 October. This provides a foundation in analysis techniques – with a focus on testing market research data. It assumes no prior knowledge and will start from first principles, right through to some worked examples of the most common kinds of tests: when to use them and the major pitfalls to avoid. Ideal for anybody who would like to make a start on statistical testing and leave the course ready to tackle their own data.

Key Speakers include:

Bernard Lavelle, Formerly Sales Director, London City Airport

Adrian Lawes, Independent Travel Consultant

Alex Authers, Senior Research and Insight Manager, Heathrow Airport

DEMAND ANALYSIS AND CAPACITY MANAGEMENT:

The Air Transport Issues

4th-6th November 2026

The air transport world faces major challenges in addressing volatile fuel prices while catering for demand which is rising again, following the pandemic. A number of principal airports are severely congested while the airline industry remains fiercely competitive. A thorough understanding of the nature of demand coupled with the knowledge of how to effectively manage capacity will be essential for success in this fast-changing commercial environment. This seminar, therefore, aims to address key demand and supply issues, assess forecasting methodologies and discuss future strategies. Participants can combine attendance with the Market Research for Air Transport seminar (27-28 October) at a special reduced rate.

Key Speakers include:

Sander van Noorloos, Commercial Operations Manager, Global Revenue, British Airways

Stephen Wainwright, Managing Director, Steer Group

George Sierros, Airport Capacity Planner, Manchester Airports Group

INTRODUCTION TO AIR TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS

30th November-2nd December 2026

This course is designed to provide an understanding of key issues in air transport management, operations, marketing and business planning. It complements the course ‘Introduction to Air Transport Economics and Planning’ held in October and January, which covers the economic and regulatory aspects. The course is therefore ideal for new staff working for airlines or airports, for government departments or in aviation consultancy. It is suitable, in addition, for employees with some prior background experience who wish to broaden their understanding of the industry and reflect on current developments.

Key Speakers include:

Kelly Ison, Formerly Chairman Pilot Integration Committee, American Airlines

Neil Cottrell, Chair Heathrow Airline Operators’ Committee and formerly Head of Planning, British Airways

Ken Stevens, Formerly Director Corporate Real Estate and Airport Affairs, Alaska Air Group