EVALUATION OF THE NEED FOR SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION IN AVIATION MANAGEMENT UNDERGRADUATE TRAINING: A CASE STUDY OF TÜRKİYE

This study aims to assess the current status of sustainability education in undergraduate Aviation Management programs in Türkiye and develop recommendations for training the sustainability-focused human resources needed by the sector. The study examined the curricula of undergraduate Aviation Management programs at Turkish universities and analyzed the presence, scope, and level of integration of directly relevant sustainability-related courses. The findings reveal that sustainability is not systematically integrated into the curriculum in Turkish programs, remaining mostly at an elective level or being covered scattered throughout existing courses. A comparative analysis of the global aviation sector's sustainability goals and the curricula of leading European aviation schools reveals a significant gap in Turkish programs in this area. The study concludes with recommendations, including integrating sustainability into the core curriculum, developing interdisciplinary collaborations, conducting joint projects with industry, and incorporating international certification programs. These recommendations are anticipated to elevate aviation management education to global standards and provide qualified human resources for the sector's sustainable transformation.