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CourseAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Airport traffic simulation course

Online course of 300 hours in airport traffic simulation. 6 modules covering airport systems modelling, runway and terminal area simulation, taxiway and apron simulation, modelling tools and programming and results analysis for decision-making, applying ICAO Doc 9426, ICAO Doc 9157 and the EUROCONTROL Airport CDM Implementation Manual, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

Take the controls.

Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

SIM · LIVE ●
Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Select the right type of simulation for each airport study.

02

Build runway, taxiway and apron models.

03

Calibrate and validate models with real operational data.

04

Use professional tools and Python to simulate traffic.

05

Analyse simulation results statistically.

06

Compare infrastructure and operational alternatives.

07

Develop a complete simulation study for an airport.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Airport simulation analysts.
  • Capacity engineers.
  • Airport operations consultants.
  • Infrastructure planners.
  • ATM data analysts.
  • Digital twin engineers.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to join airport operators.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ICAO Doc 9426 (Air Traffic Services Planning Manual)
  • ICAO Doc 9157 (Aerodrome Design Manual)
  • EUROCONTROL Airport CDM Implementation Manual (airport collaborative decision-making)
  • ICAO Doc 9971 (Manual on Collaborative Air Traffic Flow Management)
  • ICAO Annex 14, Volume I (aerodrome design and operations)
  • Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317 (performance and charging scheme)
  • AirTOp
  • SIMMOD
  • AnyLogic
  • Python with SimPy
  • CAST Aviation
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Fast-time versus real-time simulation
  2. 1.2Discrete-event and agent-based models
  3. 1.3Elements of an airside model
  4. 1.4Input data: flight schedule and fleet
  5. 1.5Statistical distributions of times
  6. 1.6Definition of scenarios and horizons
  7. 1.7Model verification and validation
  8. 1.8Simulation output indicators
  9. 1.9Model limitations and assumptions
  10. 1.10Case study: defining a simulation study
  1. 2.1Modelling arrivals and departures
  2. 2.2Radar and wake turbulence separations
  3. 2.3Runway occupancy time
  4. 2.4SID and STAR routes in the model
  5. 2.5Holding and radar vectoring
  6. 2.6Simulated runway capacity
  7. 2.7Mixed-mode operations on a single runway
  8. 2.8Runway configurations and changes
  9. 2.9Generation of delays and queues
  10. 2.10Lab: single-runway model
  1. 3.1The taxiway network as a directed graph
  2. 3.2Stand allocation
  3. 3.3Taxiing conflicts and priorities
  4. 3.4Push-back and blockages on the apron
  5. 3.5Representation of the turnaround
  6. 3.6Taxiing with tugs and electric systems
  7. 3.7Estimation of taxiing emissions
  8. 3.8Calibration with A-SMGCS data
  9. 3.9Two- and three-dimensional visualisation
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: stand allocation at peak hour
  1. 4.1The AirTOp modelling environment
  2. 4.2Models in SIMMOD
  3. 4.3Multi-method simulation with AnyLogic
  4. 4.4Simulation in Python with SimPy
  5. 4.5Automatic scenario generation
  6. 4.6Monte Carlo analysis
  7. 4.7Design of simulation experiments
  8. 4.8Post-processing and visualisation of results
  9. 4.9Version control of models
  10. 4.10Workshop: SimPy model of an apron
  1. 5.1Capacity and delay indicators
  2. 5.2Parameter sensitivity analysis
  3. 5.3Comparison of design alternatives
  4. 5.4Confidence intervals and replications
  5. 5.5Communicating results to decision-makers
  6. 5.6Link with capacity studies
  7. 5.7Results-based environmental assessment
  8. 5.8International reference studies
  9. 5.9Airport digital twins
  10. 5.10Case study: effect of a new taxiway
  1. 6.1Selection of the study airport
  2. 6.2Data collection and assumptions
  3. 6.3Building the simulation model
  4. 6.4Calibration with historical data
  5. 6.5Definition of future scenarios
  6. 6.6Analysis of the results obtained
  7. 6.7Proposal for operational improvements
  8. 6.8Validation with experts
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is AirTOp, SIMMOD, AnyLogic, Python with SimPy and CAST Aviation, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: runway capacity simulation, evaluation of taxiway alternatives and peak-hour delay analysis using Monte Carlo methods. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final project.

Standards covered: ICAO Doc 9426, ICAO Doc 9157, EUROCONTROL Airport CDM Implementation Manual, ICAO Doc 9971, ICAO Annex 14 Volume I, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ICAO Doc 9426, ICAO Doc 9157 and the EUROCONTROL Airport CDM Implementation Manual applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:AirTOp, SIMMOD, AnyLogic, Python with SimPy and CAST Aviation, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete simulation study for a real airport, from data collection and model building to calibration, future scenarios and proposed operational improvements, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Airport and data collection
Select a study airport and gather the data and assumptions for the model.
Model building
Build the runway, taxiway and apron simulation model.
Calibration
Calibrate the model against historical operational data.
Scenarios and analysis
Define future scenarios, analyse results and propose operational improvements.
Final project
Present the validated simulation study, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Airport simulation analystCapacity engineerAirport operations consultantInfrastructure plannerATM data analystDigital twin engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with AirTOp, SIMMOD, AnyLogic, Python with SimPy and CAST Aviation, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

No prior qualification is required; you need a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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