Higher Diploma in Airport Operations Planning
Course Overview
The Higher Diploma in Airport Operations Planning is a UK Level 5+ articulation qualification delivered over 15 to 18 months on campus, online and by distance learning. The programme develops head-of-planning capability across senior airport planning functions, from strategic capacity forecasts and slot governance to network-wide resource strategy and long-cycle winter and summer readiness.
By graduation you will be able to lead the airport operations planning function, chair capacity-and-demand committees, negotiate with airline network planners and articulate cleanly into the LSAAM Bachelor top-up route.
Key Features
- Curriculum aligned with ACI Airport Operations Committee (AOC) leadership standards, IATA Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines (WASG) and UK CAA slot governance
- Written by former head-of-planning practitioners and senior slot coordinators
- Reference to Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT UK) senior leadership frameworks
- Case studies from London airports, regional UK terminals and international hubs
- Structured articulation route into the LSAAM BA in Airport Operations Planning
- Flexible on-campus, online and distance-learning delivery
- Assessment mix of capacity-forecast portfolios, slot governance briefs and seasonal-planning projects
What You Will Learn
- Head-of-planning leadership across the airport planning cycle
- Strategic capacity forecasting and long-cycle demand modelling
- Slot governance leadership and airline coordination cycles
- Network-wide resource strategy across stands, gates and terminals
- Winter and summer readiness executive leadership
- Airfield engineering programme interfaces with planning
- Cross-functional airport / airline / handler planning committees
- Data governance, analytics and planning-decision auditability
Who This Course Is For
- Senior planners moving into head-of-planning roles
- Slot coordinators expanding into leadership
- Airline network planners moving airport-side
- Career changers with substantial senior planning leadership moving into aviation
- International applicants targeting UK airport head-of-planning roles
Career Pathways
- Head of Airport Operations Planning
- Airport Capacity and Slots Manager
- Airport Seasonal Planning Director
- Airport Resource Strategy Manager
- Airport Airfield Planning Manager
- Airport Planning Programme Director
- Airport Winter Operations Head
The LSAAM careers service supports every Higher Diploma learner with CV coaching, LinkedIn optimisation, executive interview preparation and structured introductions to UK airport planning heads, London slot coordinators and international hub employers.
Entry Requirements
- A completed Advanced Diploma or equivalent Level 5 aviation qualification
- Alternatively, 3+ years of supervisory airline or airport experience with a portfolio statement
- IELTS 6.0 or equivalent English proficiency for international applicants
- Two academic or professional references
- Interview with the LSAAM admissions team
Why Study at LSAAM
LSAAM is a specialist division of Harold International College of London focused on the operational, commercial and strategic disciplines running modern airlines and airports. Every LSAAM programme is aligned with recognised UK and international aviation bodies including IATA, Airports Council International, the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, giving graduates credible, industry-referenced study behind them.
Tutors on the Higher Diploma in Airport Operations Planning come from head-of-planning and senior slot-coordination backgrounds, and delivery is available on campus, online and by distance learning to fit working professionals and international students.
Apply for Higher Diploma in Airport Operations Planning
The Higher Diploma in Airport Operations Planning is your structured articulation route into head-of-planning leadership. Applications are open now for online, on-campus and distance-learning intakes with rolling admissions. Complete your operational-to-managerial articulation with LSAAM and confirm your place on the next Higher Diploma cohort. Enrol Now
