Unit 24: Investigating the airline industry (LEVEL 3) Learning outcomes By completing this unit candidates will develop knowledge and understanding of the airline industry. Candidates will investigate the airline industry, gain knowledge of the components of the industry and be able to use terminology associated with airlines. They will also investigate types of employment available in the industry. Candidates will produce evidence to meet the unit assessment objectives in order to show that they understand: key developments in aviation the organisation and operation of the UK airline industry the different time zones, terminology and other codes commonly used in the airline industry the impact of recent events on the airline industry the role of the main regulatory bodies the type of employment opportunities available in the airline industry. Candidates will also develop their practical skills in the use of time zones, time terminology and codes. Assessment objectives 1 Chart the key developments in aviation from 1903 to the present day Knowledge, understanding and skills Key developments: 1903 first powered flight Wright brothers 1919 world s first international scheduled daily passenger service (between Paris and London) 1930 Frank Whittle patents his designs for a jet engine 1939 1945 aircraft developments during WW2 1944 Chicago convention; established Five freedoms of the air 1945 widespread availability of surplus transport aircraft after WW2 1947 formation of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) 1952 introduction of first jet airliner DeHavilland Comet 1958 introduction of Boeing 707; first commercially successful jet airliner 1950s evolution of early charter airlines 1967 introduction of Boeing 737 1970 introduction of the Boeing 747 (Jumbo Jet) 1976 introduction of supersonic passenger flights with Concorde 1978 de-regulation of airline industry in USA 1990s formation of global airline alliances (STAR, One World etc) 1992 de-regulation of airline industry in Europe 1993 2003 emergence and growth of European low-cost airlines 2006 proposed introduction of Airbus A380 (super jumbo) OCR Level 3 Nationals in Travel and Tourism 1
Assessment objectives 2 Illustrate the organisation and operation of the UK airline industry 3 Demonstrate knowledge of time zones, time terminology and other codes commonly used in the airline industry Knowledge, understanding and skills Types of airline/flight: traditional full-service (eg flag carriers) charter airlines regional airlines low-cost (budget) airlines domestic, short-haul, long-haul Types of passengers and related services: first class (including Concorde) business class economy class stand by low-cost (budget) scheduled or charter cabin configuration and leg room on-board facilities (catering, in-flight entertainment, business services, sleeper seats) Major UK Airlines (Nov 2003): British Airways BMI (formerly British Midland) Britannia Airways Easyjet Monarch KLM UK (formerly Air UK) Thomas Cook Airlines My Travel (formerly Airtours) Virgin Atlantic Airways Time zones: basic principles (effects of flying east or west) comparison of UK time to other world regions (North America, Middle East, Far East, Australasia) effect of crossing the International Dateline calculating arrival times and elapsed flight times Concorde Time terminology: ETA Estimated time of arrival ETD Estimated time of departure ATA Actual time of arrival ATD Actual time of departure GMT - Greenwich Mean Time DST Daylight saving time BST British summer time Other codes: Phonetic Alphabet aircraft codes airport codes airline codes 2 OCR Level 3 Nationals in Travel and Tourism
Assessment objectives 4 Discuss the effects that three recent national or international events have had on the airline industry 5 Explain the roles of the main regulatory bodies 6 Investigate the types of employment opportunities available in the airline industry and outline the required qualifications and skills for two jobs Knowledge, understanding and skills Examples of recent events: terrorist attacks, eg 11 September 2001 (9/11); London bombings foot and mouth outbreak Gulf War Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak (China) emergence and growth of low-cost (budget) airlines growing environmental pressure Effects on the airline industry: falling passenger numbers (in some sectors) rising costs (security, fuel, insurance) lower profits/large losses cost cutting/staff redundancy airlines going bankrupt (Swiss Air, Sabena) fewer new aircraft orders impacts on aircraft manufacturers increased opportunities for the low-cost airlines Regulatory bodies: International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO); International Air Transport Association (IATA); UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA); UK Department for Transport (DfT) Joint Aviation Authority (JAA) National Air Traffic Services (NATS) Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) Types of employment: flight crew cabin crew aircraft engineers route network planning reservations and telephone sales marketing and promotions operations ground handlers aircraft dispatchers aircraft cleaning catering aircraft fuelling passenger check-in Assessment This unit is centre assessed and externally moderated. In order to achieve this unit candidates must produce a portfolio of evidence showing that they have met all of the assessment objectives. Portfolios of work must be produced independently. They will need to be made available, together with witness statements and any other supporting documentation, to the OCR Visiting Moderator when required. OCR Level 3 Nationals in Travel and Tourism 3
Centres must confirm to OCR that the evidence produced by candidates is authentic. An OCR Centre Authentication Form is provided in the Centre Handbook and includes a declaration for assessors to sign. It is a requirement of the QCA Common Criteria for all Qualifications that proof of authentication is received. Guidance on assessment and evidence requirements The airline industry has an interesting history that has seen it develop into a sector with many companies offering different products. An appreciation of the organisation and operation of the UK airline industry and the effects of recent events is important for those working in travel and tourism. The aim of this unit is to advance the candidates understanding of the development of the airline industry and the different types of airlines. In addition, the unit covers the structure of the airline sector in the UK, the impact of time zones and the effect of recent national and international events. Finally, the unit investigates the employment opportunities within the airline industry. This unit has links with Unit 1: The travel and tourism industry, Unit 5: Current issues in travel and tourism, Unit 7: Hospitality for travel and tourism, Unit 17: The UK passenger transport sector, Unit 26: The UK airport sector, Unit 27: Working as airline cabin crew, and Unit 28: Health, safety and security for airports and airlines. Classroom learning could be supplemented by a visit to an airline and/or the use of visiting speakers from the industry, though neither is essential for the achievement of the assessment objectives. Candidates could also be encouraged to draw upon personal experience if they have flown recently and could research much information through airline websites, (see Resources section), and through watching current television programmes about the airline business. In addition, there is much written and visual material (video/dvd) available (see Resources section). Assessment Objective 1 should focus on the factors affecting the development of the airline industry. The production of a chart showing the key developments could incorporate comments highlighting changes that took place over periods of years as well as single events. For example, the growth of charter airlines throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Underpinning knowledge for Assessment Objectives 2 and 4 should be current and relevant. This is particularly important as the airline industry can change rapidly since the emergence of the lowcost airlines within Europe and the changing financial positions of many traditional carriers. The use of industry links for this information, such as the websites and journals listed in the resources section, is strongly recommended. Through Assessment Objective 3 candidates will acquire knowledge of, and skills in the use of time issues, terminology and codes essential to work within the airline sector. There are many resources available to provide underpinning knowledge for this assessment objective. Candidates may wish to pursue industry qualifications (eg IATA Airfares and Ticketing) as a result of this type of learning. The differing roles of the main regulatory bodies (Assessment Objective 5) should be explored through texts and website information. Comparison and overlap of roles could be discussed. Information could be presented as a table. When investigating employment opportunities candidates should be encouraged to select contrasting roles or different airline types. For example the qualifications and skills required for cabin crew within a low cost airline differ from those within a traditional airline. These differences should be highlighted by tutors. Candidates should be encouraged to share their employment information (perhaps through presentations or displays) to widen their knowledge of opportunities available. Candidates may provide portfolio evidence for all of the assessment objectives in this unit using a range of presentation techniques. This may include assessor testimony/witness statements logbooks, diaries, the use of video, audio and presentation software, posters/charts, written work. 4 OCR Level 3 Nationals in Travel and Tourism
Where video and/or audio evidence is provided this must be supported by assessor testimony/witness statements. Where candidates demonstrate competence, centres should record skills demonstrated on appropriate recording documentation. Signposting to Key Skills The unit contains opportunities for developing the Key Skill, and possibly for generating portfolio evidence, if teaching and learning is focused on that aim. Key Skill Key Skill Key Skill reference reference reference C3.1 N3.1 ICT3.1 C3.2a N3.2a ICT3.2 C3.2b N3.2b ICT3.3 C3.3 N3.2c N3.2d N3.3 Mapping to National Occupational Standards Occupational Standards Unit number Title No relevant standards in Tourist Information Services, Travel Services and Aviation Resources This section provides suggestions of suitable resources. The list is neither prescriptive nor exhaustive, and candidates should be encouraged to gather information from a variety of sources. Some suggested resources are intended for Tutor use. The resources in this section were current at the time of production. Books Doganis, R (2005) Doganis, R (2002) Endres, G. et al (1998) Wells, A. (2003) The Airline Business Routledge Flying Off Course, The Economics of International Airlines Routledge Modern Commercial Aircraft Salamander Air Transportation Wadsworth CDRoms/DVDs/Television Programmes/Videos Airbus A320 Professional (2002). Flight Simulation Video Game Inside the Jumbo Jet (2001). DD Home Entertainment Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 - A Century of Flight. Video Game Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 Professional Edition. Video Game Journals/magazines/newspapers OCR Level 3 Nationals in Travel and Tourism 5
Airliner World Aircraft Illustrated Airline Business Air Transport World Flight International Websites Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB). URL:http://www.dft.gov.uk/ BAA. URL:http://www.baa.com/ Examples of airport groups: BAA (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen). BMI. URL:http://www.flybmi.com/ Britannia Airways. URL:http://www.britanniaairways.com/ British Airways. URL:http://www.ba.com/ Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). URL:http://www.caa.co.uk/ Departures Arrivals. URL:http://www.departures-arrivals.com/ Easyjet. URL:http://www.easyjet.com/ Health & Safety Executive. URL:http://www.hse.gov.uk/ International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). URL:http://www.icao.int/ Manchester Airport Group (MAG). URL:http://www.manairport.co.uk/ Manchester, East Midlands, Bournemouth, Humberside. Monarch. URL:http://www.monarch-airlines.com/ National Air Traffic Services (NATS). URL:http://www.nats.co.uk/ OAG Travel Information. URL:http://www.oag.com/ Airline schedule information. Ryanair. URL:http://www.ryanair.com/ Safeskys Ltd. URL:http://www.safeskys.sageweb.co.uk/ Serco. URL:http://www.serco.com/ TBI. URL:http://www.tbiplc.co.uk/ Luton, Belfast Intl, Cardiff. 6 OCR Level 3 Nationals in Travel and Tourism
Grading Assessment Objective AO1 Chart the key developments in aviation from 1903 to the present day AO2 Illustrate the organisation and operation of the UK airline industry AO3 Demonstrate knowledge of time zones, time terminology and other codes commonly used in the airline industry AO4 Discuss the effects that three recent national or international events have had on the airline industry AO5 Explain the roles of the main regulatory bodies Pass Merit Distinction Candidates chart some of the key developments in aviation from 1903 to the present day, focusing on the airline industry. They provide a brief outline of some of the key developments. Candidates provide a brief description of the organisation and operation of the UK airline industry. They outline briefly the types of airlines and services and include a few examples of the main UK airlines. Candidates demonstrate a basic understanding of time zones, time terminology and other codes commonly used in the airline industry. They show limited ability to calculate arrival times and elapsed flight times. Candidates make limited contributions to a discussion on the effects that three recent national or international events have had on the airline industry. Their discussion points are supported with obvious examples. Candidates provide a simple explanation of the key roles of some of the main regulatory bodies. Candidates chart many of the key developments in aviation from 1903 to the present day, focusing on the airline industry. They provide clear explanations of many of the key developments. Candidates provide a well developed description of the organisation and operation of the UK airline industry. They outline clearly the types of airlines and services and include a range of examples of the main UK airlines. Candidates demonstrate a clear understanding of time zones, time terminology and other codes commonly used in the airline industry. They are able to do simple calculations of arrival times and elapsed flight times. Candidates make valuable contributions to a discussion on the effects that three recent national or international events have had on the airline industry. Their discussion points are supported with a range of examples. Candidates provide a clear explanation of the roles of many the main regulatory bodies. Candidates chart many/most of the key developments in aviation from 1903 to the present day, focusing on the airline industry. They provide detailed explanations of most of the key developments. Candidates provide a detailed description of the organisation and operation of the UK airline industry. They outline in full the types of airlines and services and include a wide range of examples of the main UK airlines. Candidates demonstrate a thorough understanding of time zones, time terminology and other codes commonly used in the airline industry. They are able to do more complex calculations of arrival times and elapsed flight times. Candidates make significant contributions to a discussion on the effects that three recent national or international events have had on the airline industry. Their discussion points are supported with a variety of well chosen examples. Candidates provide a detailed explanation of the roles of many/most of the main regulatory bodies. OCR Level 3 Nationals in Travel and Tourism 7
Assessment Objective AO6 Investigate the types of employment opportunities available in the airline industry and outline the required qualifications and skills for two jobs Pass Merit Distinction Candidates conduct a simple investigation into some of the types of employment opportunities available in the airline industry. They outline briefly the required qualifications and skills for two jobs. Candidates conduct an appropriate investigation into many of the types of employment opportunities available in the airline industry. They outline clearly the required qualifications and skills for two jobs. Candidates conduct a thorough investigation into many/most of the types of employment opportunities available in the airline industry. They outline in full the required qualifications and skills for two jobs. 8 OCR Level 3 Nationals in Travel and Tourism