Diploma in Airport Logistics and Terminal Efficiency
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in airport logistics and terminal efficiency. 8 modules covering airport logistics systems, baggage management, apron operations, passenger flow efficiency, optimisation and simulation, supplies and internal logistics, and performance management, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Airport Logistics and Terminal Efficiency — studying from South Africa
South Africa has a long-standing aerospace base, anchored by the Western Cape cluster around Cape Town and the Gauteng aerospace corridor near Johannesburg. Companies such as Denel Aerospace Systems, Aerosud and Airbus-linked suppliers in the Western Cape draw on local engineering talent. The South African Civil Aviation Authority oversees airworthiness and drone regulation, while the South African National Space Agency coordinates national space activity. Demand for skills in aircraft systems, unmanned aerial systems and satellite engineering continues to grow across both regions.
Fees for South Africa: R 33 400 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the South African Council for Aeronautical and Engineering Professions or ECSA?
SEIUM is a private online institute and its qualifications are not official state degrees or accredited by a national body. In South Africa, professional registration is handled by bodies such as ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa) and SACAP for built environment roles, and aviation licensing by the SACAA. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by the employer or the relevant body, so check directly with them before enrolling.
Would this qualification help me get work with aerospace or drone employers in South Africa?
Employers in South Africa's aerospace and drone sector, such as aircraft maintenance organisations, defence contractors and drone operators, usually weigh experience, licensing and university credentials heavily. A private online qualification can support your CV and show specialist knowledge, but it does not guarantee hiring or a particular role. Ask prospective employers whether they value the programme before you commit.
Can I manage the workload while working full time, and do I need to be fluent in English?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you need solid working English. Study is fully remote, so no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Plan your weekly hours realistically, and ask whether employer sponsorship or instalment payment could help with fees.
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 airport as an integrated logistics system.
Analyse how baggage handling systems work.
Coordinate aircraft turnaround operations on the apron.
Improve the efficiency of passenger flows.
Apply simulation and optimisation to airport processes.
Manage internal and supply logistics.
Design operational performance dashboards.
Who it's for
- Airport operations managers.
- Airport process analysts.
- Ground handling managers.
- Operations centre coordinators.
- Baggage system engineers.
- Operational efficiency consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to work for airport operators.
What you'll work with
- Directive 96/67/EC (access to the ground handling market at EU airports)
- Regulation (EU) 139/2014 (aerodrome requirements and administrative procedures)
- IATA Airport Handling Manual (AHM) (industry ground handling standards)
- IATA Resolution 753 (baggage tracking)
- ISO 9001:2015 (quality management systems)
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998 (aviation security measures)
- ISO 50001:2018 (energy management systems)
- AnyLogic
- CAST Terminal
- Power BI
- SAP
- Python (SimPy)
8 modules
1.1The airport as a logistics node1.2Passenger, baggage, cargo and supply flows1.3Stakeholders and responsibilities1.4Ground handling services1.5Ground Handling Directive 96/67/EC1.6Airport operations centres1.7A-CDM collaborative planning1.8Operational efficiency indicators1.9Benchmarking between airports1.10Workshop: logistics flow map of an airport
2.1BHS baggage handling systems2.2Sorters and conveyors2.3Hold baggage screening2.4Early baggage storage2.5RFID and barcode reading2.6IATA Resolution 753 tracking2.7Mishandled baggage and its causes2.8Transfer baggage2.9BHS maintenance2.10Practical: analysing mishandled baggage rates
3.1Aircraft turnaround and critical path3.2Coordination of apron services3.3GSE ground support equipment3.4Stand allocation3.5Towing and push-back3.6Fuelling3.7Catering and cleaning3.8Human resource management in handling3.9Occupational safety on the apron3.10Laboratory: Gantt chart of a turnaround
4.1Measuring process times4.2Queueing theory in terminals4.3Dynamic check-in desk allocation4.4Security checkpoint management4.5Short-term passenger flow forecasting4.6Counting and tracking sensors4.7Self-service and biometrics4.8Connection points and transfers4.9Level of service indicators4.10Practical: optimising check-in desk allocation
5.1Discrete-event simulation5.2Terminal modelling with AnyLogic5.3Gate assignment as an optimisation problem5.4Staff scheduling and shifts5.5Lean in airport operations5.6Six Sigma and statistical process control5.7Theory of constraints5.8Airport digital twin5.9Demand scenario analysis5.10Laboratory: simulating a security checkpoint
6.1The airport supply chain6.2Goods logistics for retail outlets6.3Consolidation centres6.4Airport waste management6.5Sustainable aviation fuels6.6Electrification of ground equipment6.7Internal mobility and access6.8Warehouse management6.9Supplier procurement6.10Case study: supply consolidation centre
7.1Operations dashboard7.2Service level agreements with handlers7.3Operational data analytics7.4Irregularity management7.5Operational contingency plans7.6Resilience to disruption7.7ASQ passenger satisfaction7.8Sustainability and energy efficiency7.9Continuous process improvement7.10Case study: recovering operations after a disruption
8.1Terminal diagnosis8.2Identification of bottlenecks8.3Data collection and analysis8.4Simulation model8.5Operational improvement proposals8.6Scenario evaluation8.7Proposed dashboard8.8Implementation plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your 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: you progress at your own pace within each intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is AnyLogic, CAST Terminal, Power BI, SAP and Python (SimPy), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Real procedures are studied: simulation of passenger flows in terminals, analysis of aircraft turnarounds on the apron and optimisation of baggage systems. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: Directive 96/67/EC; Regulation (EU) 139/2014; IATA Airport Handling Manual (AHM); IATA Resolution 753; ISO 9001:2015; Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998; ISO 50001:2018.
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
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree 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 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with AnyLogic, CAST Terminal, Power BI, SAP, Python (SimPy), 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 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.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), 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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