TNFL03 – Case study descriptions

Tobias Andersson Granberg
Shelley Torgnyson
TNFL03 – Case Studies in Air Traffic
Management and Logistics
TNFL03 – Case study descriptions
Case studies
The main purpose of the case studies is to give the students the opportunity to strengthen
their expertise in air traffic and logistics, while training and developing the English language.
Thus, for each case study, the students are expected to make a detailed study within one
specific area.
Cases
The four cases that will be handled in the course are:
1. Aviation security
2. Environmental effects of flying
3. Infrastructure development of airports
4. Aviation crisis management
Each case can be divided into a number of topics (examples of topics can be found in the
specific case descriptions), and one topic should be selected for further study. Do not try to
carefully review everything that can fit under a specific case; there is not enough time. Make
a quick review of available topics, pick one specific topic and try to reach beyond the
descriptive state, into an analytic state. Formulate a purpose with your study and one or
more specific study questions that you will answer.
Example 1
Case: 1
Topic: Process improvements
Purpose: To analyze the benefits and the disadvantages of a new scanner technology at a
specific airport
Study question: With the new scanner technology, what would be the increase in security
(and how is this measured)?
Study question: How will the passenger flow through security be affected?
Example 2
Case 4:
Topic: Aspects of communication and information flow
Purpose: To investigate the potential benefits of an airport CDM system
Study question: Do airports with a functioning CDM system handle crises more efficiently
than airports without a CDM system?
Suggested work plan
1. Individual information gathering and knowledge buildup
2. Present what you have learnt for each other, within the group
3. Select a topic, formulate a purpose and study questions
4. Dig deeper
5. Analyze your findings, write a report
6. Prepare a presentation

Tobias Andersson Granberg
Shelley Torgnyson
TNFL03 – Case Studies in Air Traffic
Management and Logistics
Report
The final report should contain an “Introduction”, containing “Background”, “Purpose”,
“Study Questions” and “Methodology”. Furthermore, the report must include an “Analysis”
part and “Conclusions”. Of course, relevant “References” should be included and must
number at least three distinctly different sources. (More information on writing reports will
be discussed in class with Shelley)
Presentation and review
An oral presentation of the case study will be made at the end of the period. Each group will
also be assigned as peer reviewers to another group and is expected to carefully read,
review and comment on the other report.
Examination and grade
The case reports, presentations and reviews will be examined and graded in terms of the
English (by Shelley) and in terms of the content (by Tobias). The content will only be graded
as Pass or Fail.
Practicalities
Each case will be performed in groups of max 5 students. A student will participate in two
case studies, one study the first period (Case 1 or 2), and one the second period (Case 3 or
4). In each class, there should be an equal amount of groups studying Case 1 as there is
studying Case 2 (and 3 vs. 4 in period 2). A group studying Case 1 will be assigned as peer
reviewers to a group studying Case 2.

Tobias Andersson Granberg
Shelley Torgnyson
TNFL03 – Case Studies in Air Traffic
Management and Logistics
Case one – Aviation security
A recent survey conducted by the U.S. Travel Association has revealed that 75% of air
travellers believe that it must be possible to devise better alternatives to the current airport
security screening process. It also showed that the average traveller would take two or three
more trips a year if the security process could be made more convenient without
compromising security. As a response, the U.S. travel association has formed an expert panel
to come up with a suggestion for a process that maximizes security and minimizes the
burden on air travelers.
Your task is to make a short study on a specific area within aviation security. You are fairly
free to pick a topic that you find suitable and interesting. Suggestions are offered below:
Process improvements
Technology
Human resources management
Capital investments
Privacy protections
Case two ‐ Environmental effects of flying
According to a number of experts, the current growth of the aviation sector will result in an
increase in CO2 emissions caused by commercial air traffic. To counteract expected
increases in emissions, many governments and international organizations have set goals for
future emissions reductions. To be able to meet the challenge of reducing emissions while
maintaining its current business growth, the aviation industry needs to investigate what
solutions are available today and in the near future.
Your task is to look at one of the areas below in order to find out what existing and potential
future improvements can be made to reduce commercial aircraft emissions and noise:
Technological options (engine design, aircraft design, material, etc)
Operational options (air traffic management, maintenance, etc)
Policy changes (taxes, subsidies, research investments, Single European Sky, etc)
Alternative fuel options (bio‐fuel, hydrogen etc)

Tobias Andersson Granberg
Shelley Torgnyson
TNFL03 – Case Studies in Air Traffic
Management and Logistics
Case three – Infrastructure development of airports
Air transport has seen tremendous growth over the last 50 years, which has led to an
increased need for airport capacity. In order to successfully expand and develop an airport it
is necessary to take into account the various aspects of airport infrastructure. As a first step
it is essential to identify where the need for a capacity increase lies, and to ensure that the
new infrastructure will be utilized when finished.
Your task is to make a short study of one or more airports that have been involved in
developing and expanding its capacity, in order to investigate the infrastructural strategies
and problems of the development process. It is also possible to generalize the study by
focusing on a specific area. You are free to look at any aspects of airport infrastructure, but
some suggestions are given below:
Landside access (i.e. train, bus, car)
Geographical limitations
Terminal design
Air cargo
Aircraft types, e.g. new large aircraft (NLA)
Case four – Aviation crisis management
In recent times, there have been many events which have hit the commercial aviation sector
hard. One of the most disruptive and costly ones was the Volcanic ash cloud in 2010 which
continues to constitute a threat to European Airspace. Its devastating effect on Europe’s
airports and airlines was exceptional and put emergency planning experts to the test around
the world. In addition to the ash cloud, there have been such incidents as airport closures in
both the UK and US due to unusually heavy weather, political unrest in different parts of the
world, pandemic outbreaks and a number of other global occurrences which have had a
fundamental impact on the aviation sector.
Your task is to make a short study on a specific area within aviation crises management. You
are fairly free to pick a topic that you find suitable and interesting, however, do not choose
the Volcanic ash case mentioned above. Suggestions are offered below:
Models and methods for crises management
Specific incidents and lessons learnt from them in terms of organisation and response
Crises management in relation to different parties involved in the situation, i.e.
controllers, flight crew, passengers, relatives, the public, etc.
Aspects of communication and information flow in crisis situations
Different types of crises and their specific problems, e.g. terror actions, accidents,
epidemics, weather problems, natural disasters, political unrest, etc.
Disaster recovery
Contingency planning