MBA in Strategic Management in Aviation – Semester-wise Syllabus

First Year (Core Business & Aviation Strategy Foundations)

Semester 1

1. Principles of Management & Organizational Strategy

   • Strategic planning frameworks (SWOT, PESTEL, Porter’s 5 Forces)

   • Leadership in aviation (case studies: Emirates, IndiGo, Delta)

2. Managerial Economics for Aviation

   • Microeconomic principles (demand-supply, elasticity)

   • Airline cost structures (CASK, RASK, breakeven analysis)

3. Financial & Accounting Strategies

   • Airline financial statements, valuation methods

   • Capital budgeting, mergers & acquisitions (e.g., Air France-KLM)

4. Aviation Industry Ecosystem

   • Key stakeholders (airlines, airports, regulators, OEMs)

   • Global trends (sustainability, digital transformation, geopolitics)

5. Quantitative Methods for Strategic Decision-Making

   • Forecasting, data analytics, optimization models

6. Business Communication & Negotiation Skills

   • Stakeholder management, crisis communication

Semester 2

1. Airline Business Models & Competitive Strategy

   • LCC vs. FSC strategies (Ryanair vs. Singapore Airlines)

   • Alliances (Star Alliance, SkyTeam) and joint ventures

2. Airport Strategic Management

   • Hub competitiveness (Dubai vs. Singapore Changi)

   • Privatization, PPP models, non-aeronautical revenue

3. Strategic Marketing in Aviation

   • Brand positioning, loyalty programs (e.g., Emirates Skywards)

   • Digital marketing, customer experience innovation

4. Aviation Policy & Regulatory Strategy

   • Open skies agreements, slot allocation, ICAO/EASA/FAA compliance

5. Operations & Supply Chain Strategy

   • Fleet planning, outsourcing (MRO, ground handling)

   • Lean management in aviation

6. Risk Management & Crisis Strategy

   • Pandemic response (COVID-19 case study), fuel hedging

Second Year (Advanced Strategy & Specialization)

Semester 3

1. Corporate Strategy in Aviation

   • Growth strategies (organic, M&A: e.g., IAG’s acquisitions)

   • Diversification (e.g., Lufthansa Technik, Delta Cargo)

2. Sustainability & ESG in Aviation

   • Net-zero strategies, SAF adoption, CORSIA compliance

   • Circular economy in MRO

3. Innovation & Digital Transformation

   • AI/ML in revenue management, blockchain for ticketing

   • IoT, predictive maintenance, smart airports

4. Global Aviation Geopolitics

   • Trade wars, sanctions (e.g., Russia’s airspace closure)

   • Emerging markets (India, Africa)

5. Elective – I (Choose One)

   • Airline Revenue Management & Pricing

   • Aviation Entrepreneurship & Startups

   • Human Capital Strategy in Aviation

6. Simulation & Case Studies

   • Airline strategy games (e.g., AirlineSim)

Semester 4

1. Strategic Leadership in Aviation

   • Change management (e.g., Air India turnaround)

   • Ethical leadership, corporate governance

2. Aviation Finance & Investment Strategy

   • Aircraft leasing, FDI in aviation, IPO strategies (e.g., JetBlue)

3. Capstone Project / Dissertation

   • Real-world strategic analysis (e.g., "IndiGo’s Market Dominance Strategy")

4. Internship (Industry Immersion)

   • Airlines (Strategy Dept.), consulting firms (Bain, McKinsey Aviation Practice)

5. Elective – II (Choose One)

   • Air Traffic Management Strategy

   • Aviation Tourism & Destination Strategy

   • Defense & Space Sector Strategies

6. Viva & Strategic Plan Presentation

   • Boardroom-style defense of a strategic aviation project

Additional Components

• Certifications:

  • IATA Strategic Management in Aviation

  • ICAO Aviation Leadership

• Industry Exposure:

  • CEO roundtables, aviation summits (CAPA, IATA AGM)

  • Visits to ATC centers, OEMs (Boeing, Airbus)

• Tools & Software:

  • Tableau (data visualization), SIMUL8 (strategy simulation)