Course in Economic Evaluation of Airport Projects
300-hour online course in Economic Evaluation of Airport Projects. 6 modules covering the Commission guide to cost-benefit analysis of investment projects (2014), Delegated Regulation (EU) 480/2014, cost-benefit analysis methodology and Microsoft Excel. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Economic Evaluation of Airport Projects — studying from Ireland
Ireland's civil engineering sector is driven by public infrastructure investment in roads, water, housing and public transport, alongside rail projects such as Dublin's light rail and commuter rail upgrades. Transport Infrastructure Ireland sets standards for national roads, while Irish Rail and Iarnród Éireann operate and develop the rail network. Smart city initiatives in Dublin and other urban areas create demand for engineers working on sensors, data platforms and integrated mobility systems. Typical employers include contractors, consultancies, local authorities and public agencies, with Engineers Ireland providing professional recognition.
Fees for Ireland: €448 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Is a SEIUM qualification recognised for chartered civil or rail engineering status in Ireland?
Chartered engineer status in Ireland is administered by Engineers Ireland, which sets its own criteria for membership and registration. Rail is regulated in part by the National Transport Authority and Irish Rail-related bodies, while building and infrastructure standards involve other authorities. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so recognition is for those bodies and employers to decide.
Do Irish civil, rail and smart-city employers consider private online engineering study?
Irish infrastructure, consultancy and local authority employers usually weigh chartered status, project experience and relevant degrees heavily. A private online qualification may be considered as supporting evidence of skills, but its value is at each employer's discretion. We cannot promise any outcome, so discuss it with prospective employers.
Can I study alongside a site or office job, and is employer funding common?
The programme is online and taught in English, so you can study from home without travel or a student visa. Plan for 1,900 hours on a master's, 800 on a postgraduate diploma or 300 on a specialist course. Each student has an assigned technical tutor, fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible. Many Irish employers have continuing professional development budgets, so ask yours.
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.
What you will be able to do
Understand the economics and the revenue and cost structure of airports.
Produce demand forecasts using econometric methods.
Build financial models for airport projects.
Apply the European cost-benefit analysis methodology.
Analyse risks and uncertainties through simulation.
Assess alternatives using multiple criteria and State aid rules.
Produce the complete economic evaluation of an airport project.
Who it's for
- Airport investment analyst who wants to specialise in Economic Evaluation of Airport Projects.
- Transport economist who wants to specialise in Economic Evaluation of Airport Projects.
- Project evaluation consultant who wants to specialise in Economic Evaluation of Airport Projects.
- Airport planning technician who wants to specialise in Economic Evaluation of Airport Projects.
- Project finance analyst who wants to specialise in Economic Evaluation of Airport Projects.
- Public policy evaluator who wants to specialise in Economic Evaluation of Airport Projects.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter airport management.
What you'll work with
- Commission guide to cost-benefit analysis of investment projects (2014)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 480/2014, cost-benefit analysis methodology
- Guidelines on State aid to airports and airlines (2014/C 99/03)
- Directive 2009/12/EC, airport charges
- ICAO Document 9562, Airport Economics Manual
- ICAO Document 9082, Airport Charges Policies
- Law 18/2014, on urgent measures for growth, competitiveness and efficiency
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Air transport markets1.2Airline business models1.3Aeronautical and commercial revenues1.4Cost structure of an airport1.5Economies of scale and density1.6Regulation of airport charges1.7Competition between airports1.8Catalytic effects on the regional economy1.9Privatisation and concessions1.10Case study: airport income statement
2.1Traffic forecasting methods2.2Econometric traffic models2.3Elasticity with respect to income and charges2.4Scenarios and sensitivity2.5Air cargo forecasting2.6Design peak hour2.7Demand uncertainty and risk2.8Sources: ICAO, IATA, Eurocontrol2.9Validation of forecasts2.10Workshop: econometric passenger forecasting in R
3.1Cash flows of airport projects3.2NPV, IRR and payback period3.3Discount rate and cost of capital3.4Financing structure3.5Financial model in a spreadsheet3.6Sensitivity and scenario analysis3.7Monte Carlo simulation3.8Valuation of concessions3.9Airport project finance3.10Practical: financial model of a terminal expansion
4.1European Commission methodology4.2User benefits: time and cost4.3Producer surplus4.4Externalities: noise, emissions and accidents4.5Shadow prices and conversion factors4.6Social discount rate4.7Wider economic effects4.8Risk analysis in CBA4.9Distribution of benefits4.10Case study: CBA of a new runway
5.1Multi-criteria analysis of alternatives5.2Evaluation of alternatives5.3Real options in infrastructure5.4Ex post evaluation and cost overruns5.5Optimism bias and reference forecasts5.6Evaluation of underused regional airports5.7State aid: 2014 guidelines5.8European Court of Auditors reports5.9Communicating results to decision-makers5.10Workshop: multi-criteria analysis of expansion alternatives
6.1Project definition and alternatives6.2Demand forecasting6.3Estimation of investment and operating costs6.4Financial model of the project6.5Social cost-benefit analysis of the project6.6Project risk analysis6.7Conclusions and recommendation6.8Executive summary for decision-makers6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Microsoft Excel, R, @RISK, Python with statsmodels, Expert Choice, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies cover real air traffic demand forecasting procedures, financial modelling of an airport investment and social cost-benefit analysis of alternatives. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the economics and the revenue and cost structure of airports.
Produce demand forecasts using econometric methods.
Build financial models for airport projects.
Apply the European cost-benefit analysis methodology.
Analyse risks and uncertainties through simulation.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient command of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The course uses Microsoft Excel, R, @RISK, Python with statsmodels and Expert Choice. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma on passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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