Aviation Management

Etihad Rail is a multi-billion dollar rail network development project set across the United Arab Emirates. The planning, decision making, monitoring and controlling of such a massive infrastructure project requires the use of established, effective and efficient project management systems to assure and accomplish successful outcomes.

The pragmatic research objective of this paper is to assess and analyse the tools, techniques and strategies used for the project management of the Etihad Rail.This research paper explores the systems, methodologies, theories and practices of project management needed to successfully produce business results for the Etihad Rail project.

At first, the paper discusses the business case of Etihad Rail with the help of the logical framework approach. Then we see some strategies for the risk management process.

Second, the paper then suggests some tools and techniques such as work breakdown structure, Gantt chart and critical path method which are required for the planning, scheduling and management of a project. The inputs of the above mentioned tools and techniques are then incorporated in the analysis of the Etihad Rail project.

Next, the paper looks into the monitoring and control process procedures for a smooth running of a project. Here it discusses the importance of meetings and reports which help to define a project, providing a better understanding of the project situation/status and in implementing effective decision making. It includes the earned value analysis method which suggests being the ideal method for monitoring and measuring work performance.

Last, the paper includes some models for change management processes such as McKinsey’s 7-S model, Prosci change management process and Kotter’s 8 step change model. A method is selected from the above mentioned models which can be suitably used for the Etihad Rail project.

The airline industry has witnessed a rapid growth and a global expansion over the last few decades. Aviation is not only crucial for the global business development but also offers eminent social and economic benefits.

The factors contributing to this significant growth are:

1. Deregulation of aviation laws, bilateral and open-sky agreements between governments.
2. Increasing demand because of the efficiency, quality and service it offers for a safer mode of transportation.
3. Increasing competition among airlines has put brakes on the airfares, thereby reducing the cost of travel.
4. Globalisation has resulted in an increase in air travel with world trade and tourism facilitating airline industry.

The 1978 Airline Deregulation Act has opened new markets for the airlines, resulting in the expansion of the airline industry. This expansion has brought about a stiff competition, resulting in air warfare. The aviation industry had to eventually restructure itself in order to maintain profitability, resulting in consolidation and concentration of airlines.

The pragmatic research objective of this paper is to perform an analysis of airline’s operations, strategies and the framework for decision making. In detail, the following key research objectives are addressed:

1. Hong Kong Landing Slots Auction
2. China's Airline Industry
3. Pan American World Airways
4. Jet Airways (India)

In today’s more competitive era, airports have become a part of commercialisation, privatisation and globalisation, resulting in worldwide integration and sustainable development of the airport industry.

Over the last decade, airport management has witnessed a dramatic change with the induction of strategic initiatives and commercial operations. These developments have impacted the global economic performance and have enriched the financial state of the industry.

This research paper looks into the management of multiple airport system of the large metropolitan city, London. In this research paper, we shall assess the business strategic plan adopted by the London airports by analysing the airport’s strategic directions and methods. Here, we shall also suggest an alternative strategy for a productive and a sustainable solution.

In just 100 years, aviation has grown and progressed to be today the driving force of the global economy. In 2013, the airline industry made a profit of $12.9 billion on revenues of $708 billion, which is 1.8% net profit margin.

This report qualitatively analyses the strategies and operations of all-business class North Atlantic airlines, by assessing the business model and characteristics of the service offering. The pragmatic research objective of this report is to conclude whether premium-only flights can succeed over the North Atlantic or not. In detail, the following key research objectives are addressed:

1. Review past failures of all-business class North Atlantic airlines: Silverjet, EOS Airlines and MAXjet Airways.
2. Assess the likelihood of success of the proposed airlines: Qatar Airways, SAS Group, Odyssey Airlines and Dreamjet.
a. Why would the proposed airlines succeed when others have failed?
b. What changes have taken place in the market to suggest that premium-only flights can be economically viable?
c. What challenges will the new operators face?

A sound corporate business strategy can be stated by defining Michael Porter’s two basic types of competitive advantage: cost leadership and differentiation. Cost leadership strategy gave rise to a breed of airlines in the mid 1990’s, the low-cost carriers. This report analyses the characteristics of the low-cost carriers and the key drivers that influence operations.

In the past decade, the airline industry dynamics have changed which has affected the growth and sustainability of the market. In contrast, the low-cost carriers sector has experienced growth and significant developments in air transport industry. The low cost phenomenon has revolutionised the aviation market; guiding the path for success, with cost efficient and productive innovations.

The global economic crisis, fuel crisis and the increasing operating costs has forced the low-cost airlines to constantly evolve and adapt their business model to the existing market conditions. It gave rise to the development of a hybrid of full-service airline and low-cost airline business models. The pragmatic research objective of this report is to analyse the business model of the JetBlue Airways and to strategically plan for the future success and profitability of the airline. In detail, the following key research objectives are addressed:

1. Conduct an in-depth research about the main characteristics of typical low cost carriers, highlighting the different cost advantages when compared with typical equivalent network carriers.
2. Evaluate the current situation of JetBlue Airways, mentioning the impacts of internal and external factors on the operation and management of the airline, and discuss the associated opportunities, threats and risks to the business.
3. a) Can JetBlue continue its spectacular growth?
b) Were its competitive advantages sustainable?
4. Recommend a plan of actions for the next 5 years, mentioning the associated likely risks and outcomes.

Marketing has become one of the most important aspects of business in the 21st century. The production and distribution of any product depend largely on marketing. Marketing is nothing but a business function that identifies, anticipates and meets customer needs profitably by providing all the required goods which delivers the value and meets the quality and thereby developing a healthy customer relationship which mutually benefits the organisation and its customers.

Marketing management is the process of planning and executing the idea of promoting and distributing services efficiently through effective communication (Kotler 2000). The aim of studying this discipline is to enable the market managers to manage and oversee the product, research and analyse the market value and demand, know the potential customers, develop apt pricing strategies and plan out the appropriate time and the right place to market the product.

The practical research objective of this paper is to investigate and assess the Marketing Management theories and to blend it with practice by conducting a case study on Ferrari S.p.A. The research shall put forward principles and practices of Marketing Management concepts and provide key insights on how to efficiently manage and to stay abreast of marketing trends.

Evolving workplace and workforce have resulted in one of the most complex management challenges of the 21st Century. The practical research objective is to assess the challenges involving the management of a dispersed team and hence put forth solutions by forming certain leadership guidelines and social disciplines.

Thirty years ago, in 1973 Jack Nilles coined the term “telework”, which is defined as a work arrangement where the employees need not commute to a traditional workplace. Flexible working alternatives are making an impact on working life. As the years progress, the percentile of teleworkers is increasing. In the year 2010, the Telework Enhancement Act, signed by U.S President Barack Obama was an initiative to promote and boost teleworking among employees.

This paper explores the implications of home-based, office-based and field-based workers for processes of managerial control. Here, we will address three research questions. First, what are the managerial difficulties a manager may face in managing home-based, office-based and field-based workers? Second, what difficulties an employee may face while working from home? Third, what strategies a manager may adopt to overcome any difficulties in working from home while trying to manage a geographically dispersed team?

First, this report qualitatively analyses the financial statements of Heathrow Airport Holdings Limited over the period 2009-2013, by studying and analysing the trends of the Profitability Ratios, Efficiency Ratios, Liquidity Ratios, Gearing Ratios, Horizontal Analysis and Vertical Analysis. Here, we shall also consider the macro-environmental factors that may impact the financial performance of the company, by using the PESTLE (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal) Analysis framework.

Heathrow Airport Holdings Limited (formerly BAA Limited), is a UK based operator, owning and managing airports and an aviation hub in Heathrow, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton.

The pragmatic research objective of this report is to assess the financial status of Heathrow Airport Holdings Limited, and to analyse the implications of the company’s proposal for a third runway at the London Heathrow airport.

The London Heathrow Airport, Europe’s busiest airport, is operating at 98% of its capacity. The London Heathrow Airport’s main concern is the lack of runway capacity, which can be provided by the expansion plan.

Last, this report will conclude with sustainable solutions and recommendations to improve and strengthen the financial situation of the company.