Expert: David A. NewMyer - 3/26/2009

Question
QUESTION:  For your information, I am an R & D officer where the department I'm working with is planning to set up a Diploma Program in Aviation Management.

Since i need to get some information about the industry, I really appreciate if you could share with me information regarding questions below:

I.   How is the future of the aviation industry especially in  the Asia Pacific region?

II.   What is the future employment / job opportunities for diploma graduates in this industry?

III.   Does airline industry require this qualification for recruitment?

Your opinion and explanation on the above matters are highly appreciated. Thank you

ANSWER: Hi, Amelia:

I am a little reluctant to answer this question since I am not totally clear on what you mean by a "Diploma Program" in Aviation Management.  Here at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, we offer a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Management.  I will answer the question from that point of view (relative to the BS degree in Aviation Management).

1.  The future of the aviation industry in the Asia Pacific Region seems to be strong.  There is, of course, some near-term (one to two years out) slowing of aviation demand due to the economic crisis that the world is facing.  However, overall, there are strong domestic economies in such nations as Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand (not to mention China and the USA) that all have well-developed airline structures to build on.  Some of them, notably Indonesia and China may still be in the process of developing some aspects of their aviation and airline industries, but, in the long term, they look strong.  Consider Indonesia, with its population size now larger than that of the USA along with a very viable natural resource base....its aviation industry will grow from here (after we get through this current downturn). And, China is a well known growth area in aviation with many aircraft orders for future years.

2.  For someone with an Aviation Management background WHO ALSO HAS A STRONG TECHNICAL OR EXPERIENTIAL BACKGROUND IN AVIATION to build on, the future employment/job opportunities will be very good.  I see that it is critical for those people who have a technical background in aviation (or work experience with the airlines or in aviation) to also have a strong background in basic management skills, financial management, labor-management negotiation issues, aviation regulations, saftey management skills and the like.  I believe that these are the kinds of things that should be covered in a diploma in Aviation Management.  That way, you get the combination of skills in one person that includes a wealth of technical or work experience background combined with aviation management knowledge and skills. That combination is very marketable in the aviation industry in the Asia Pacific Region and elsewhere.

3.  Some in the aviation industry, such as airports and government agencies, tend to have an aviation management background as a requirement for recruitment in the industry.  Airlines and aviation manufacturing companies are less likely to have it....partly because they (especially airlines) tend to "hire from within" and not necessarily from aviation diploma programs. That is why I am advocating the promotion of the aviation diploma program in Aviation Management to those who alreay work in the aviation industry.....

I hope that this answer helps.  If you need anything else, please ask for it in a follow-up question.

Sincerely,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Mr NewMyer,

Thank you so much with the reply that you gave regarding my few questions about the aviation management.I would like to give you some overview about the "Diploma In Aviation Management" that i've mentioned. The program is planned to be conducted for 3 years (6 semesters) and courses covered basically will be for example, Aviation Safety, Aviation Planning, Air Traffic Management, Airport Management, Route Planning etc. Therefore, I am now doing the research to find out that if the program is to be conducted, will the students soon be marketable in that industry. However, from your explanation, I would say that it would be much better if the students already have strong technical or experiential background in aviation first, and that semms similar with my findings from other literature review. Therefore,  I wonder if you have and could provide me the statistic on the current status of aviation industry and the job opportunities for students with the diploma or bachelor degree in the aviation industry, especially in Asia Pacific Region. (For your information, i'm from Malaysia.)The findings soon will give some idea for the department i'm working with to consider whether it is suitable or not to offer the program to the students. Thank you again with your help Sir!

Answer
Hi,

Thank you for your follow-up question...actually, I do not have the data that you are seeking at my fingertips.  You can probably find such data at the following locations:

The website of AIR TRANSPORT WORLD MAGAZINE which is www.atwonline.com  When you get to that site, go to their economics page and then to their "World Airline Report" and other sources.  Some of the data that you are looking for in terms of world market growth, etc, is there.  There are, however, relatively few data available on opportunities for students with an aviation degree or diploma background.  As I have said in my prior answer, airlines are notorious for not being as active in hiring university graduates from aviation schools as have other segments of the industry.  On the other hand, some airlines (like Emirates) have actually created their own colleges for aviation training.....so, it depends on the airline!

In general, the Asia Pacific region has been a growth segment of the industry....they had a 9.5% growth in airline passengers in 2007 (I have not seen cumulative 2008 data as yet).  And, that growth rate beat several of the other more mature markets such as North America.  Even in these tight economic times, it is expected that Asia Pacific will probably out-perform most of the rest of the world.....

All the best to you in your efforts to add an Aviation Management program.  If you wish to have guidance on this effort, the UNIVERSITY AVIATION ASSOCIATION at www.uaa.aero might have some information for you.  You might consider joining their organization as an instiutional member if you decide to get into aviation management program offerings.

Sincerely,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu