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Air Cargo Operations

Code: 101737
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Aeronautical Management OP 4

Contact lecturer

Name :
Juan Aijon Lopez
Email :
juan.aijon@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Juan Aijon Lopez

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

Recommendable for the student to have knowledge of Marketing, Management Analysis, Macroeconomics and Microeconomics.

Objectives

Unveiling the future aeronautical managers the basic concepts of Air Freight, an activity not too considered by its small volume, but relevant due to the value of the goods transported and essential for the logistics developed in a globalized world. In addition, the management of air cargo transportation is addressed from the vision of the airline and of the rest of AirSupply Chain stakeholders, encouraging students to investigate and discuss both the current and the new developments and projects in this rapidly evolving means of transport.

Learning outcomes

  • CM15 (Make technological improvements in the management systems of companies and institutions in the aeronautical sector, generating innovative and efficient solutions.) Make technological improvements in the management systems of companies and institutions in the aeronautical sector, generating innovative and efficient solutions.
  • CM16 (Develop projects for the deployment and optimisation of aeronautical process operation, control and management systems, aimed to achieve efficiency and operational sustainability.) Develop projects for the deployment and optimisation of aeronautical process operation, control and management systems, aimed to achieve efficiency and operational sustainability.
  • KM34 (Identify the different types of airlines, the services they offer, their operations planning and control processes, infrastructures and organisational aspects, as well as the procedures necessary to ensure flight safety.) Identify the different types of airlines, the services they offer, their operations planning and control processes, infrastructures and organisational aspects, as well as the procedures necessary to ensure flight safety.
  • KM35 (Describe the key aspects of the regulatory framework applicable to aeronautical management, including the JAR, EASA and other relevant national and international frameworks.) Describe the key aspects of the regulatory framework applicable to aeronautical management, including the JAR, EASA and other relevant national and international frameworks.
  • SM23 (Apply specific tools and methodological approaches in the management of airports, airlines and other key actors, integrating internal and external relationships to optimise processes, improve operational efficiency and solve complex problems in the aeronautical sector. (ST07)) Apply specific tools and methodological approaches in the management of airports, airlines and other key actors, integrating internal and external relationships to optimise processes, improve operational efficiency and solve complex problems in the aeronautical sector. (ST07)
  • SM24 (Efficiently use specific software to plan, manage and control usual activities and operations in companies and institutions in the aeronautical sector, in accordance with existing regulations.) Efficiently use specific software to plan, manage and control usual activities and operations in companies and institutions in the aeronautical sector, in accordance with existing regulations.

Contents

INTRODUCTION TO AIR CARGO TRANSPORTATION


  • Air Cargo: concept and evolution
  • Logistics engine in a global world
  • Goods transported by air
  • Regulatory framework


STRUCTURE OF THE AIR CARGO


  • Main actors: airlines, shippers and consignees
  • Complementary actors
  • Authorities and regulatory bodies
  • Necessary infrastructures


MANAGEMENT AND LOGISTICS OF THE AIR CARGO


  • Essential means: Aircraft, cargo units and air trucks
  • Air cargo commercialization
  • Documentary handling: Air cargo documentation
  • Physical handling: loading and unloading operations


CHANGING ENVIRONMENT OF THE AIR CARGO


  • The Security challenge
  • Quality certification
  • Sustainability in Air Cargo
  • Co-modality in Air Cargo Transportation



OTHER TOPICS OF DISCUSSION


  • Rates, loyalty systems, electronic documentation, revenue management systems, specialized airports, differentiated products, temperature control, AI.

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Simulation and Cases 8 0.32
Tutorship 2 0.08
Personal study and Preparation of case studies 94 3.76
Master class 27 1.08
Problem solving seminars 15 0.6

Classes will combine lecture sessions with a large group led by the teacher and promoting the intervention of students with other interactive and extra-classroom activities that allow work in small and large groups through cooperative learning, research and communication techniques.

Specifically, the activities consist of:

  • Master classes: introduction to the terminology and main aspects of the Air Cargo. Daily active participation is evaluated in class.
  • Problem seminars: problem-solving to be resolved in a group or individually.
  • Practical simulations: simulation of commercial and operational operations, to be done in group.
  • Practical projects: an exposition of controversial subjects in the world of cargo so that the student investigates, exposes and opens in collaboration with other students. The subjects are proposed at least 1 month in advance of their presentation and must be exposed in group in the course of 4 classes (approximately).

Communication with the students will be via Virtual Campus and occasionally e-mail.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Air Supply Chain related topic presentation 40% 1 0.04 CM15, CM16, KM34, SM23, SM24
Exam 50% 3 0.12 CM15, CM16, KM34, KM35, SM23, SM24
Participation in classes, practices, seminars and simulations 10% 0 0 CM15, CM16, SM23, SM24

The single assessment system is not foreseen in this subject.

A continuous evaluation will be carried out with a formative purpose that should allow us to follow the learning process of the student in order to be able to guide and orient them. On the other hand, it must allow us to make decisions about the pace of development of the subject.

A summary evaluation will also be made to verify the level of learning achieved by reference to the competencies and objectives set.

Evidence will be the completion of the following activities:

  • Completion of a presentation in small groups consisting of a research work, its presentation and subsequent debate in which the task of obtaining information, the quality of the content and presentation and mastery of the topic in question will be assessed (40%).
  • Carrying out an exam that allows evaluating individual work as well as interest and knowledge in this part of the subject (50%).
  • Participation in classes, practices, seminars and simulations. Gradable practices scheduled in advance will be carried out (10%).
  • Completing the presentation and the exam will be essential to pass the subject. In order to pass the subject, through continuous evaluation, it is necessary to obtain at least a 50% of the maximum qualification established for all of the aforementioned activities.

Recoverable Activities: In the event that either of the two essential activities are not passed, it can be recovered on the dates set by the Coordination:

  • If the presentation has not been satisfactory, it may be repeated in the aspects that need to be corrected, improved or added.
  • The exam is made up of a theoretical part and a practical part. To pass the exam, it is required to obtain in both parts a minimum of 50% of the maximum qualification established for each part. Therefore, It is required that the sum of the qualifications of both parts reaches at least 50% of the maximum qualification established. If it is less than 50%, the exam may be repeated in its entirety or in the part that has not been passed.


The student can take the recovery of the recoverable activities whenever it has been presented to a set of activities that represent a minimum of two-thirds of the total grade of the subject.

A student will be considered non-evaluable (NA) if he or she does not attend any of the essential activities.

If a student is a repeater, they must be presented to all the subject assessment activities.

Honours degree (MH). Awarding a grade of honors is the decision of the teaching staff responsible for the subject. UAB regulations indicate that the MH may only be granted to students who have obtained a final grade of 9.00 or more. Up to 5% of the total enrolled students can be awarded with an MH.

Without prejudice to other disciplinary measures that are deemed appropriate, irregularities committed by the student that may lead to a variation in the grade of an evaluation act will be graded with a zero. Therefore, cheating, plagiarism, letting others cheat, etc. in any of the evaluation activities it will imply failing with a zero.

Bibliography

Álvarez Robles, Óscar . EL TRANSPORTE DE CARGA AEREA EN ESPAÑA: CONDICIONANTES Y PERSPECTIVAS. Ministerio de Fomento. Centro de Publicaciones, 2008 

Arán Iglesia, Javier. DESCUBRIR LA CARGA AÉREA. Centro de Documentación y Publicaciones de Aena, 2003 

Pareja Albornoz, Joaquín. EL CONOCIMIENTO AÉREO Y OTROS DOCUMENTOS RELACIONADOS CON EL TRANSPORTE DE MERCANCÍAS POR VÍA AÉREA. IBERIA, 1986 

Vila, Carlos. LOGÍSTICA DE LA CARGA AÉREA : MANUAL DE LOS PROCESOS LOGÍSTICOS DEL TRANSPORTE AÉREO DE MERCANCÍAS. Logisbook, 2004

Soriano, Bárbara y Pinto, César. FINANZAS PARA NO FINANCIEROS.IEB. Instituto de Estudios Bursátiles.FC Editoria.2008
 

Webs from Boeing, Airbus, air cargo organizations, major airports, and technical and specialized magazines of the Industry.

Software

Microsoft Office applications

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 11 Catalan second semester afternoon
(PAUL) Classroom practices 11 Catalan second semester afternoon
(SEM) Seminars 11 Catalan second semester afternoon
(SEM) Seminars 12 Catalan second semester afternoon