Master’s in Airport Planning and Design Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in airport planning and design engineering. 12 modules covering demand forecasting, airfield configuration, airside geometric design, airport pavements, passenger terminals and environmental sustainability, working with ICAO Annex 14, Regulation (EU) 139/2014 and AutoCAD Civil 3D, with an assigned technical tutor.
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
Prepare airport master plans based on demand forecasts.
Design the airside in accordance with Annex 14 and CS-ADR-DSN.
Size airport pavements using ACR/PCR methods.
Plan passenger terminals according to IATA levels of service.
Integrate access, intermodality and landside into the design.
Assess environmental, noise and safeguarding impacts.
Analyse the economic viability of airport developments.
Who it's for
- Airport planning engineers working on master plans and capacity studies.
- Designers of airport infrastructure in engineering firms and consultancies.
- Master plan consultants.
- Airport pavement engineers.
- Terminal planners.
- Airport environmental technicians.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the airport sector.
What you'll work with
- ICAO Annex 14 Volume I (aerodromes)
- Regulation (EU) 139/2014 (aerodromes)
- ICAO Doc 9157 (aerodrome design manual)
- ICAO Doc 9184 (airport planning manual)
- CS-ADR-DSN (EASA certification specifications)
- IATA Airport Development Reference Manual (terminal levels of service)
- ICAO Doc 9137 (airport services manual)
- FAA AC 150/5300-13 (airport design)
- AutoCAD Civil 3D
- FAA FAARFIELD
- SIMIO
- CAST Terminal
- ArcGIS
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Planning cycle and master plan1.2Airport stakeholders and governance1.3Airport types and networks1.4ICAO Doc 91841.5Planning horizon and development phases1.6Flexible planning and scenarios1.7Capacity versus level of service1.8The airport and territorial planning1.9Cases of new airports1.10Case study: analysis of a master plan
2.1Explanatory variables of air traffic2.2Econometric and time-series models2.3Passenger, cargo and movement forecasts2.4Design peak hour2.5Fleet mix and critical aircraft2.6Low-cost airline forecasts2.7Uncertainty scenarios2.8Forecast validation2.9Connecting demand and hubs2.10Practical exercise: traffic forecasting with time series
3.1Aerodrome reference code3.2Runway orientation and usability factor3.3Runway length and performance3.4Parallel and independent runway configurations3.5Runway capacity and separations3.6Siting and study of alternatives3.7Wind, meteorology and obstacles3.8Extension of existing runways3.9Wind rose and climate analysis3.10Workshop: runway orientation with a wind rose
4.1Strips, RESA and clearways4.2Taxiways and rapid exit taxiways4.3Taxiway radii and fillets4.4Aprons and aircraft stands4.5Separation distances4.6Longitudinal and transverse slopes4.7New-generation aircraft4.8Design according to CS-ADR-DSN4.9Critical points and hot spots4.10Practical exercise: taxiway layout in Civil 3D
5.1Flexible and rigid pavements5.2ICAO ACR/PCR method5.3Design with FAARFIELD5.4Materials and layers5.5Drainage and water control5.6Friction and surface texture5.7Structural evaluation with a deflectometer5.8Pavement management systems5.9Rehabilitation and overlay5.10Lab: pavement design with FAARFIELD
6.1Obstacle limitation surfaces6.2PANS-OPS procedure surfaces6.3Aeronautical easements and their processing6.4Aeronautical safety studies6.5Radio navigation aids and protection zones6.6Obstacle marking and lighting6.7Construction in the surroundings6.8Coordination with urban planning6.9Cranes and temporary obstacles6.10Case study: obstacle analysis with GIS
7.1Horizontal and vertical markings and signs7.2Approach and runway lighting7.3PAPI and glide slope systems7.4Taxiway lighting7.5Surface movement guidance and control7.6Visual docking guidance systems7.7Power supply and redundancy7.8Information systems and AODB7.9Control tower and its siting7.10Workshop: lighting design for a runway
8.1Linear, satellite and pier terminal concepts8.2IATA ADRM levels of service8.3Sizing of check-in and controls8.4Security screening and border control8.5Baggage handling systems8.6Departure lounges and boarding bridges8.7Commercial areas and passenger experience8.8Accessibility and persons with reduced mobility8.9Flexibility and modular expansion8.10Practical exercise: terminal sizing with CAST
9.1Road access and car parks9.2Intermodality and rail connections9.3Kerbs and pick-up areas9.4Support buildings and services9.5Cargo facilities9.6Fuel facilities9.7Maintenance bases9.8Airport city and real estate development9.9Sustainable access mobility9.10Case study: design of access to a terminal
10.1Environmental impact assessment10.2Noise and noise footprints10.3Noise zoning and insulation10.4Air quality and emissions10.5Water and waste management10.6Airport Carbon Accreditation10.7Renewable energy at airports10.8Biodiversity and wildlife10.9Climate change adaptation10.10Workshop: noise footprint calculation
11.1Aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue11.2Charges and economic regulation11.3Capital and operating costs11.4Cost-benefit analysis of investments11.5Concession models and public-private partnerships11.6Investment phasing11.7Project risks11.8Evaluation of expansion projects11.9Financial and profitability indicators11.10Case study: evaluation of a terminal expansion
12.1Selection of the study airport12.2Demand and capacity analysis12.3Proposed airside configuration12.4Terminal and landside design12.5Obstacle and safeguarding analysis12.6Environmental assessment of the proposed development12.7Economic analysis and phasing12.8Conclusions of the plan12.9Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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: you progress at your own pace within each intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is AutoCAD Civil 3D, FAA FAARFIELD, SIMIO, CAST Terminal and ArcGIS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Real procedures are studied, such as geometric design of runways and taxiways, terminal sizing with levels of service and analysis of obstacle limitation surfaces. Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ICAO Annex 14 Volume I, Regulation (EU) 139/2014, ICAO Doc 9157, ICAO Doc 9184, CS-ADR-DSN, IATA Airport Development Reference Manual, ICAO Doc 9137, FAA AC 150/5300-13.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- 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.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with AutoCAD Civil 3D, FAA FAARFIELD, SIMIO, CAST Terminal and ArcGIS, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent professional experience, plus a computer able to run the 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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