BOOK FEATURE
Aerlines
Aviation Project
Management
Aviation project management is a branch of pro-
ject management that uses all the core project-
management techniques, but where the manager
needs to understand the special nature of aviation
and its projects. This book’s discourse therefore
rests on a well-established theoretical base to
explain the traditional project-management me-
thodology, and then to adapt and expand that in
order for it to address the aviation industry more
specifically.
By Triant Flouris
The purpose of project management is to predict, to plan,
to organize and to control activities and resources so that
projects are successfully completed in spite of all the
difficulties and risks. This process should start before any
resource is committed, and must continue until all work is
finished. The primary aim of the project manager is to have
the result satisfy the project sponsor or purchaser and all
the other principal stakeholders, and to have done so within
the promised time limit, without using more money or other
resources than originally budgeted.
All projects share one common characteristic — the projection
of ideas and activities into new endeavors. The ever-present
element of risk and uncertainty means that the events and
tasks leading to completion can never be accurately foretold.
Examples abound of projects that have exceeded their costs
by enormous amounts, finishing late or even being abandoned
before completion. Such failures are far too common, seen
in all kinds of projects in industry, commerce and the public
sector. The aviation industry (both at its core and throughout
all its constituent industries) is by no means free from such
failures. The consequences of such project failures can
extend well beyond time and cost excesses, and can lead
to expensive litigation, contractual penalties and cancelled
orders, across all sub-industries such as airlines, airports, air
navigation services, aerospace manufacturers, suppliers and
service providers.
The just mentioned sub-industries have their own distinct
qualities and management needs, however, as they are united
together in the fact that aviation can present volatile realities.
More specifically, with regard to companies that design and
make aircraft, projects and project management are essential
at all stages of their business. These companies typically
invest billions of dollars, which they do not expect to recover
for perhaps as long as 20 years or so, and their ability to
operate at maximum efficiency as a result of effective project
management can be a life-or-death proposition. Passenger
and cargo airlines that comprise a service industry (although
service industries are not usually considered as a home for
projects) often have to invest heavily in projects. For example,
when an airline sets out to rebrand a service or introduce
a new passenger route, it would be unwise not to treat that
venture as a project and manage it accordingly. Additionally,
airports as well as other aviation service providers (such as
air navigation services, aviation product suppliers etc.) have
very important project management needs. Airports, for
example, are a service industry, one without which airlines
could not operate, no large planes could fly, and no aircraft
manufacturer would find a market. Airports, too, involve
Aerlines Magazine 2009 1
 Aerlines
projects. Creating a new airport requires all the project skills
of civil engineering and construction companies, as well as
the advanced technology of the many companies that provide
avionics, air traffic control, and other systems necessary for
the safe handling of both air and road traffic.

Thus any of the many students or practitioners who have chosen

to study or work in aviation must receive some grounding
in project management, because project management is a
fundamental skill that leads to efficiency and sustainable
competitive advantage. There is much literature available and
several new project management book titles emerge every
week. However, very few of these deal specifically with
aviation projects. Aviation Project Management should be of
special benefit to those with a keen interest in the study of the
aviation industry and its efficient functioning.

About the Authors

Dr. Triant Flouris is Dean of the School of Aviation Sciences and
professor of Aviation Management at Daniel Webster College. He is
the author of numerous journal articles and several books and a well
known global expert on aviation management.

Dennis Lock is a prolific full-time writer and has edited, co-authored

or written more than 30 books. Dennis is a Fellow of the Association
for Project Management, Fellow of the Institute of Management
Services and a Member of the Chartered Management Institute.

About the Book

Authors: Triant G. Flouris and Dennis Lock
Title: Aviation Project Management
Format: 244 x 172 mm
Extent: 314 pages
Published: October 2008
Publisher: Ashgate
Price : £60.00 » Online: £54.00 (at www.ashgate.com)
ISBN: 978-0-7546-7395-8 (hardback)

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