Airport planning course
Online course of 300 hours in airport planning. 6 modules covering the airport planning process, airside and landside planning, environment and land use and economic evaluation and financing, with an assigned technical tutor.
Airport planning course — studying from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has one of the world's most established aerospace sectors, anchored by clusters in Bristol, Filton, Derby, Hampshire and Scotland's Glasgow corridor. Major manufacturers and suppliers such as Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Airbus UK and GKN Aerospace drive demand for engineers in design, propulsion, structures and systems integration. Urban air mobility, electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, and commercial drones are emerging alongside, supported by government programmes and test corridors. Space engineering is growing through launch and satellite activity around the UK spaceports and Harwell. Graduates with aerospace expertise find roles across manufacturing, certification and research.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £664 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which professional bodies in the UK recognise aerospace engineering qualifications, and does SEIUM's qualification give me chartered status?
In the UK, the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) is the main professional body for aerospace engineers and can award Chartered Engineer status through the Engineering Council. SEIUM's qualifications are private and are not accredited by the Engineering Council or RAeS, so they do not confer chartered status on their own. Recognition is decided by employers and the relevant body, so check directly with RAeS whether your study and experience will count towards registration.
Will a private online aerospace qualification help me find work with UK aerospace or drone employers?
UK aerospace, drone and space employers, including many working on civil aviation, defence and space projects, generally judge candidates on demonstrated skills, portfolio work and experience. A private qualification may support your application, but its value depends on each employer's own assessment. It is worth asking prospective employers how they view such qualifications before you enrol.
Can I study this programme alongside a full-time job in the UK, and what language level is needed?
Yes, programmes are delivered fully online, so you can study from home without a student visa, wherever you are based. Workload varies by programme length, and you will have an assigned technical tutor for support. Teaching is in English, so you should be comfortable reading and writing technical English. Check the programme schedule and time commitment against your working hours before enrolling.
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
Describe the process for preparing an airport master plan.
Determine the critical aircraft and the reference code of an aerodrome.
Size the basic airside and landside elements.
Assess the environmental and land-use constraints of an airport.
Apply cost-benefit analysis to airport investments.
Compare development alternatives using technical and economic criteria.
Draw up a phased development plan for an airport.
Who it's for
- Airport planners.
- Airport infrastructure engineers.
- Master plan consultants.
- Airport investment analysts.
- Airport environmental technicians.
- Infrastructure project managers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to join airport operators.
What you'll work with
- ICAO Doc 9184 Airport Planning Manual (ICAO guidance on airport master planning)
- Annex 14 to the Chicago Convention, Volume I. Aerodrome Design and Operations (ICAO aerodrome design standards)
- Regulation (EU) 139/2014 on aerodrome requirements (EU aerodrome certification and operation)
- Directive 2011/92/EU on environmental impact assessment (EIA of public and private projects)
- Royal Decree 2591/1998 on the planning of airports of general interest (Spanish airport planning framework)
- Directive 2009/12/EC on airport charges (common principles for airport charges)
- Directive 2002/49/EC on environmental noise (assessment and management of environmental noise)
- AutoCAD Civil 3D
- QGIS
- AirTOp
- Microsoft Excel with demand models
6 modules
1.1The airport master plan and its content1.2Planning horizons and development phases1.3Demand forecasting for infrastructure1.4Design peak hour and typical traffic1.5Aerodrome reference code1.6Critical design aircraft1.7Analysis of site alternatives1.8Stakeholder engagement1.9Flexible phased planning1.10Case study: diagnosis of a master plan
2.1Runway configurations and prevailing winds2.2Usability factor and wind rose2.3Obstacle limitation surfaces2.4Taxiway system2.5Aprons and aircraft stands2.6Visual aids and radio navigation aids2.7Rescue and firefighting service2.8Fuel facilities and services2.9Cargo and maintenance areas2.10Practical: wind rose and runway orientation
3.1Terminal building and level of service3.2Road access and terminal kerb3.3Car parks and sustainable mobility3.4Rail connection and public transport3.5Logistics areas and airport city3.6Support facilities and services3.7Perimeter security and access control3.8Commercial uses and non-aeronautical revenue3.9Integration with urban planning3.10Workshop: sizing the departures kerb
4.1Noise footprint and associated easements4.2Aerodrome aeronautical easements4.3Environmental impact assessment of projects4.4Air quality in the surrounding area4.5Water management and drainage4.6Bird strike hazard and wildlife management4.7Land-use compatibility4.8Net-zero emissions targets4.9Relations with neighbouring communities4.10Case study: easements of a regional airport
5.1Investment and operating costs5.2Aeronautical revenue and charges5.3Social cost-benefit analysis5.4Concession models and public-private partnerships5.5Regulation of airport charges5.6Demand risk and scenarios5.7Net present value and internal rate of return5.8European funds and multilateral banks5.9Investment prioritisation5.10Practical: cost-benefit analysis of an expansion
6.1Selection of the study airport6.2Diagnosis of the current situation6.3Twenty-year demand forecast6.4Airside infrastructure needs6.5Terminal and landside needs6.6Proposed development alternatives6.7Environmental and economic assessment6.8Development phasing plan6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
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 the intake, so the programme can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is AutoCAD Civil 3D, QGIS, AirTOp and Microsoft Excel with demand models, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: capacity diagnosis of an existing airport, a phased expansion proposal and cost-benefit analysis of an airport investment. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ICAO Doc 9184 Airport Planning Manual, Annex 14 to the Chicago Convention, Volume I. Aerodrome Design and Operations, Regulation (EU) 139/2014 on aerodrome requirements, Directive 2011/92/EU on environmental impact assessment, Royal Decree 2591/1998 on the planning of airports of general interest, Directive 2009/12/EC on airport charges, Directive 2002/49/EC on environmental noise.
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
- No prior qualification is required.
- An 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 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 AutoCAD Civil 3D, QGIS, AirTOp and Microsoft Excel with demand models, 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 an internet connection, 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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