Understanding Airline and Airport Operations

Know about employment opportunities within an airport.

Learning Outcome 1: Indicative Content 

Examples of airport jobs

• Airport fire service/police/customs and immigration
• Air traffic control
• Airport engineering and maintenance
• Aircraft refuelling
• Handling agents e.g. baggage handling, dispatchers, push back tams)
• Check-in / baggage drop / queue management
• Security
• Restaurants/bars/hotels
• Retail
• Information desks
• Car hire currency and exchange/bus and train operator

Examples of personal qualities and qualifications needed

• Communication skills/ Interpersonal skills
• Organisational skills
• Personal presentation
• A ‘can do’ attitude/problem solving
• Enthusiasm / creativity
• Job specific skills e.g. engineering
• Job specific qualifications e.g. ATC, HGV licence

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1
  Describe the main jobs within a large airport.
• 1.2
  Describe the main personal qualities and qualifications needed for selected contrasting jobs.

Understand the customer check-in procedure at a large airport.

Learning Outcome 2: Indicative Content 

Stages of standard check-in procedure

• Check flight information screens to know which desk to go to
• Queue with other passengers
• At check in desk show passport and tickets
• Put luggage on baggage belt to be weighed
• Answer questions from check in staff
• Collect boarding card
• Proceed to security

Exceptions may be due to:

• use of on-line check it at home to get boarding pass
• using on line terminals at airport
• no hold baggage
• diplomatic status

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1
  Describe the main stages in the standard check-in procedure with reference to the staff involved at each stage.
• 2.2
  Explain why particular groups of passengers may be exempt from all or part of this procedure.

Understand the role and function of Customs and Immigration services at an airport.

Learning Outcome 3: Indicative Content 

Function of Customs and Excise is to collect customs duties and prevent smuggling and illegal trade by:

• searching luggage
• checking customs documents
• questioning people with illegal items
• arresting and charging people
• preparing reports and witness statements

Function of Immigration service is to make decisions whether people have the right to visit or stay in the UK by:

• interviewing passengers for more information
• arranging for them to go back to their point of departure
• organising a place in a holding area (for people who are claiming asylum)

Importance due to:

• national security
• compliance with legislation
• preventing import of illegal substances

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1
  Describe the key functions of the Customs and Excise Service at an airport.
• 3.2
  Describe the key functions of the Immigration Service at an airport.
• 3.3
  Explain why these services are important.

Understand why security is important within an airport.

Learning Outcome 4: Indicative Content 

Security is maintained by:

• X ray equipment
• security officers
• body scanners
• boarding card readers
• Archway Metal detectors (AMDs)
• black trays

Consequences of inadequate security arrangements could include:

• terrorist activities
• queues at airports e.g. due to insufficient staff
• passengers losing confidence in personal safety

Assessment Criteria

• 4.1
  Explain the main ways in which security is maintained at a large airport.
• 4.2
  Explain, with examples, the consequences of inadequate security arrangements.