An aviation analyst collects and analyzes data about the overall performance of a specific airline or the aviation industry as a whole. When it comes to implementing new safety procedures and developing ways to improve efficiency, airlines and government regulators use this information. An aviation analyst typically needs a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or a pilot’s license.
Airline analysts are frequently tasked with determining efficiency. These people figure out how much fuel is used on specific routes and whether fuel costs can be cut changing routes or lowering weight loads. The average time it takes the ground crew to prepare an aircraft for takeoff is also calculated an aviation analyst. Analysts compare information about a specific airline with data about the industry as a whole. They are frequently tasked with identifying issues that cause delays and making recommendations to improve overall efficiency.
Analysts are employed both regulatory agencies and individual airlines to review safety data for various types of aircraft. Regulatory analysts can notify authorities when an airline’s safety record falls short of industry minimums. An airline’s aviation analyst must try to identify potential safety issues before they become widespread and potentially life-threatening. Analysts often use statistical data to show that certain types of aircraft are more likely to be involved in crashes than others in airline investigations.
Aside from reports on efficiency and safety, an aviation analyst may look at data on ticket sales and passenger volume. An analyst for a specific company might collaborate with a marketing firm to conduct research into the causes of increases and decreases in airline traffic. An analyst may be asked to prepare a report predicting the likely impact of ticket price increases on sales if a company is considering raising ticket prices. Analysts typically make predictions about future traffic volumes based on data from previous sales. Analysts must also consider general economic factors like recessions or periods of inflation, as well as the impact these economic conditions can have on the airline industry.
Because knowledge of aircraft is essential for anyone preparing a report relating to mechanical or safety issues, an aviation analyst should have a background as a pilot or an aviation related degree. Analysts who are primarily concerned with an airline’s or the industry’s financial performance typically hold a bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, or accounting. Many analysts have a background in both aviation and finance because they review data from all aspects of the industry.