Module Details

Module Code: TOUR7014
Title: Aviation Studies and GDS
Long Title: Aviation Studies and GDS
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2024/25 ( September 2024 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 8120 - Tourism
Module Delivered in: no programmes
Module Description: This module provides an overview of the airline and airport industries along with an introduction to the practical skills necessary to operate a Global Distribution System (GDS)
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Identify the agencies involved in the aviation industry.
LO2 Describe airline regulations, concepts and types.
LO3 Explain the nature, role and characteristics of the airline and airport industries.
LO4 Utilise a Global Distribution System (GDS) to access travel and airline information.
LO5 Perform routine operations on a Global Distribution System.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Introduction to the Airline Industry.
Overview of the current airline industry. Factors that affect the airline industry. The benefits of the airline industry. The role of IATA, ICAO and the EU within the airline industry. Airline regulatory environment. Freedoms of the air. The commissions for aviation regulation in Ireland.
Airline Operations.
Airline terminology and abbreviations. Types of journeys. The key characteristics of schedule, charter and low-cost airlines models. Airline product planning. Airline cooperation to include airline alliances, code sharing and interline arrangements. Types of networks. Hub and spoke. Passenger processing and flight operation. Phonetic alphabet
Introduction to the Airport Industry.
Overview of the current airport industry. The benefits of an airport to a region. The structure of an airport to include airside, landside and terminal. Passenger handling at airports. Baggage handling. Aircraft handling. Introduction to slot allocation. Environmental impacts of the aviation industry.
Functions of a Global distribution System.
Identify GDS function identifiers. Access and understand an airline's availability display. Identify, code and decode airlines, airports, cities, country and currency codes. Using formats to create, amend and delete a passenger name record’s mandatory and other supplementary fields. Retrieve and understand all components of a fare display, access fare rules and notes. Price an itinerary. Ancillary revenue.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework50.00%
End of Module Formal Examination50.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcomes 3,4
Assessment Description
Computer based short answer questions.
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 4,5
Assessment Description
Computer based – open and closed book examinations
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 50
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
End of Semester final exam
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theory Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Use of GDS software. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent learning/reading Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theory Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Use of GDS software Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent learning/reading Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Madhav R. Dileep,Ajesh Kurien. (2021), Air Transport and Tourism, 2nd Ed. Routledge, UK, [ISBN: 9780367683269].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • John Frankie O'Connell,George Williams. (2011), Air Transport in the 21st Century, 1st Ed. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., UK, [ISBN: 9781409400974].
  • J. G. Wensveen. (2023), Air Transportation, 9th Ed. Routledge, UK, [ISBN: 9780367364472].
  • Anne Graham. (2023), Managing Airports, 6th Ed. Routledge, UK, [ISBN: 9781032216386].
  • Rigas Doganis. (2019), Flying Off Course, 5th Ed. Routledge, UK, [ISBN: 1138224243].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources