AVIATION FIELDTRIP - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module offers a practical exploration into the aviation industry, centred around a visit to an airport overseas. The field trip is designed to provide students with first-hand experience of the operational, management, and sustainability practices within airport context.

Module provider

Surrey Hospitality & Tourism Management

Module Leader

ITANI Nadine (Hosp & Tour)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

The thematic areas that the module focuses on include:

• Management and operations

Explore the day-to-day operational management of airports, including airport layout design, passenger flow management, and resource allocation. Students will analyse how strategic planning is applied in real-world settings to maintain operational efficiency and ensure smooth collaboration among stakeholders such as airlines, ground services, and airport authorities.

• Air Traffic Control and ground operations

A deep dive into the coordination between air traffic control, ground handling, and airport safety operations. Students will engage with live operational data, examining the role of air traffic controllers, ground staff, and security personnel in maintaining operational flow and minimizing disruptions in a highly complex environment.

• Baggage handling and security protocols

Analyze the logistical challenges of baggage handling, focusing on technologies and processes that enhance efficiency and minimize errors. Students will also critically evaluate the security measures in place, assessing how they balance the need for safety with operational efficiency.

• Sustainability practices in Airport operations

Investigate airports’ strategies for minimizing environmental impact, including initiatives for reducing carbon emissions, managing waste, and engaging with surrounding communities. Students will evaluate the effectiveness of sustainability measures, linking them to broader industry trends and regulatory requirements.

• Stakeholder collaboration and passenger experience

Examine the complex relationships between airport management, airlines, regulatory bodies, and the local community. Students will critically assess how these stakeholders collaborate to optimize operational efficiency and enhance the overall passenger experience, from check-in to boarding.

• The role of technology in Airport efficiency

Investigate how technology, such as automation, biometrics, and artificial intelligence, is being integrated into airport operations. Focus will be on the analysis of specific technologies used to enhance passenger experience, streamline operations, and improve security measures.

• Strategic recommendations for operational enhancement

Based on observations from the field trip, students will develop strategic recommendations aimed at improving the operational efficiency, sustainability, and passenger satisfaction of the airport visited. This theme encourages students to propose actionable solutions that align with real-world challenges in airport management.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

In the event that a group project will not be suitable for re-assessment, an individual essay (2000 words) will be assigned.In the event that a group project will not be suitable for re-assessment, an individual essay (2000 words) will be assigned.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment methods are designed to encourage students to apply and further develop knowledge and skills by researching a practical topic through working on location with their peers. Assessments will evaluate students’ knowledge and critical understanding of airport management, operations, customer experience, levels of service and sustainable development issues. Furthermore, their ability to interpret academic and other secondary sources and apply theory to practice, as well as to report their findings in a creative and businesslike manner will be tested.

The assessment for this module consists of: a) group project based on fieldwork (LO 1,2 and 3); b) an individual written reflexive essay 1500 words (LO1 and 2). Unmarked formative feedback will be provided to students through a range of approaches, including question and answer sessions in class and discussions using SurreyLearn.

Formative Feedback

Students receive feedback throughout the semester via face-to-face teaching which will support them to complete the assessments.

Module aims

• The module aims to provide students with the practical aspects of airport management and operations. It seeks to bridge theoretical knowledge with real-world practices in aviation, fostering critical analysis of airport operations, management, and the challenges facing the sector.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The module is based on the application of knowledge and skills acquired from existing compulsory aviation management modules. The delivery includes:

• Pre-trip sessions to establish theoretical foundations and introduce the visit objectives.


• A comprehensive visit to an airport, including structured tours of various operational areas and meetings with airport management personnel.


• Post-trip debriefing to consolidate learning and discuss observations.


• Access to online resources and support for research and project work.

The key teaching and learning strategy is problem-based learning. By using a specific airport as a case study, the module will provide students with knowledge in the fields of applied airport management and operations, and will encourage them to explore, critically evaluate and apply theoretical perspectives in an operational setting.

 The teaching and learning methods include presentations designed to provide an essential framework of knowledge and skills, and classroom-based discussions and tasks to develop students’ critical ability – culminating in an airport fieldtrip incorporating guest lectures and primary research to offer students practical engagement in analysing different aspects of airport operations, passenger processing and service levels.

*****N.B The cost of the trip will be covered by participating students*****

The cost of this field trip module is mostly subsidised by the University and there is a student contribution (normally around £500). Potential financial support scheme will be explored upon request.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MAN2224

Other information

This module adopts the university curriculum framework which aims to develop learners with strong capabilities in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module contributes to the development of the following capabilities:

Global and Cultural Capabilities: The module revolves around the development and management of air transport organisations (Airports/ Airlines) from a global perspective. Students develop an understanding of the influence of environment on the industry’s development, including international, national and cultural environments. Since students are from different countries with diverse cultural backgrounds, class discussions and seminar exercises will be used to reinforce students’ global and cultural capabilities. 

Digital Capabilities: Teaching and learning materials are provided in several formats, and students are encouraged to use discussion boards for communication. Students will be provided instruction on digital literature review searches that support their development of independent learning and successful assessment preparation. Students will use the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Surrey Learn, video conferencing platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, and data analytics software to facilitate learning. These include accessing teaching and learning materials and engaging with their instructors and peers. 

Employability: Guest lecturers will be present up-to-date insight from the air transport industry on relevant topics and provide an opportunity for students to directly learn from industry experts and stakeholders. Students will gain knowledge on current developments in air travel and be taught to critically evaluate these developments. They will also learn how to develop strategies to manage these developments. All these skills can be transferred to various situations at the workplace, including problem-solving tasks. 

Sustainability: This module motivates students to critically evaluate the economic, social and environmental impacts of air travel/ transport industry through evidence-based learning, case study analysis and class discussions. Students will also learn the invaluable relationship between air connectivity, the business cycle, economic and social prosperity. Students will be guided in developing recommendations for striking a balance between the socio-economic benefits of aviation and mitigating the industry’s environmental impacts. 

Resourcefulness and Resilience: The assessment strategy which comprises two stages; formative assessment and summative assessment. Through this strategy, this module empowers students to build self-evaluation into assessment processes and create spaces for students to reflect on their own performance whilst reviewing feedback. The structured schedule of the two-stage assessment will also support students in developing time management skills. Also, students are motivated to make informed decisions from a range of options as to which aspect of their work they would like to request feedback. The critical nature of the in-class discussion will help foster openness by encouraging students to understand and discuss contrasting perspectives.

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.