Aviation MBA Launched To Help Airlines Navigate Post-Covid Future

As the aviation industry rebuilds from the COVID-19 crisis, a new MBA in aviation has been launched to deliver the skills required to support airlines navigate into the future.

The flexible, online aviation MBA has been developed in partnership by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University–Worldwide (ERAU).

ERAU is a private university focused on aviation and aerospace programs while the IATA represents some 290 airlines comprising 83% of global air traffic.

Frederic Leger, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Commercial Products & Services, said as aviation rebuilds from the COVID-19 crisis, laying the foundation for the workforce of the future was essential.

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“Companies across the aviation value chain are recruiting once again and hence the importance of having programs in place which will provide the right skillset for the talent of the future,” Leger said.

“By partnering with one of the most renowned academic institutions in aviation, we are pleased to offer a course tailored to those seeking a career in airline management.”

Dean of ERAU’s College of Business on the worldwide campus Dr. Maneesh Sharma said “a groundbreaking” MBA program had been developed.

“Partnering with IATA to create the airline management certificate will empower students to advance their leadership career in this industry and beyond,” Dr Sharma said.

“The fact that this degree is the result of collaboration between two of the leading organizations in the aviation space- ERAU, one of the top aviation universities in the world and IATA, the trade association representing the global air transport sector.”

A statement by the organisation said the jointly developed program aligns with ERAU’s modular degree program and IATA’s aviation management expertise. Through three blocks consisting of 36 credit hours, the program applies modern business concepts, methods, and tools to the challenges and specifics of the aviation business, creating an academic degree which combines core business competencies with an aviation foundation.

The first block of this virtual program will focus on the importance of creating high-reliability organizations by teaching the fundamentals of risk, managing risk and creating resiliency. The second block will concentrate on core business activities and its structure is based on input from the aviation industry on how to provide students with the necessary skills to advance their career into managing functional departments. The third block consists of an aviation specialization in commercial management, focusing on the various airline business models and revenue management strategies.

The courses will be offered as of October 2022.

Doug Estwick
Doug is an author for MBA News and Fixed Income News Australia. Doug has been a media and communications professional for more than 10 years, including working as an editor for News Corp's Quest Newspaper group.