Competing under the name RMIT Aviation Team, the group of students and alumni from the Bachelor of Applied Sciences (Aviation) program went through regional rounds from March to May, reaching the top 4 in the Asia-Pacific region before qualifying for the global finals at the end of May. This achievement placed them second in the world – a result achieved not only through their professional skills but also through their perseverance and teamwork.
The RMIT Aviation Team, comprised of ten students and alumni, secured the runner-up position in the IATA Airline Management Challenge 2026 Global Finals. The journey began with a simple LinkedIn search that team captain Truong Vinh Minh Thu conducted just three months after entering university.
“I really wanted to participate, but I needed a team,” Thu shared. With the support of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, and thanks to the connections of Professor Marco D'Alessandro, ten students and alumni formed a team to enter the competition.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Airline Management Challenge requires contestants to assume the role of an airline operator, managing a route network, allocating a fleet of aircraft, and developing pricing strategies on a simulation system. Given a business problem involving five destinations in Europe, teams must make decisions to optimize profitability over five rounds, including three regional and two global rounds.
For the RMIT Aviation Team, the early rounds were not easy at all.
"We faced many difficulties in determining ticket prices and predicting passenger demand," Thu said.
"Initially, the whole team was tense and confused because everything was new and challenging."
To overcome this challenge, the team restructured its operations. They split into two teams: one focused on pricing strategy, the other on fleet and route management, while still working closely together to ensure all decisions were made in sync.
"Every member is very determined," Thu shared. "We share ideas, correct mistakes, and support each other every day."
According to member Do Ngoc Thuy Duong, the group quickly adopted a systematic and data-analysis-based working method.
“We study demand trends, aircraft limitations, cost structures, and market conditions,” Duong shared. “After each round, the team analyzes metrics such as load factor, break-even point, and profitability for each route to understand where we are doing well and where we need to improve.”
Instead of pursuing profit growth at all costs, the team built a disciplined strategy focused on sustainable profitability.
Duong emphasized: "The issue here is not just about filling seats or opening more routes, but about balancing revenue, costs, and risks."
The real challenge emerged in the final round when raw material prices skyrocketed by 50%, directly threatening the operational results of all teams. This variable forced the entire group to review their strategies.
"The fuel shock was the biggest challenge," Thu said. "We realized the old strategy was no longer suitable."
Based on historical data and reports from previous rounds, the team restructured the route network. They focused on key profitable routes, adjusted frequencies according to seasonal demand, and optimized aircraft size based on route efficiency – using larger aircraft for core routes and smaller, more flexible aircraft for secondary markets.
"We're not just cutting costs," Thu explained. "The team is focused on smart pricing, right timing, and maintaining market share, thereby staying competitive."
Behind the strategic decisions lies a strong team spirit, helping the group maintain performance under pressure. Leading a team as a freshman was initially challenging for Thu, but it was somewhat eased thanks to the support of all the members.
"When I was nervous, everyone always encouraged me, saying it was an opportunity to learn," Thu said. "Looking back, I'm really proud of what the team has accomplished together."
Dr. Marco D'Alessandro, Acting Head of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Aeronautics) program at RMIT Vietnam, believes that the competition is not only an opportunity for students to test their knowledge in a realistic simulation environment, but also a chance to connect with like-minded individuals in a challenge that is both academic and experientially enriching.
“The RMIT team participating in the IATA competition brings together alumni and students in various years of study: some contribute in-depth expertise, some bring enthusiasm and leadership skills, and others flexibly take on necessary roles throughout the competition, just like in real-world industry situations,” he observed.
For the members of the RMIT Aviation Team, the competition provided them not only with rankings but also practical experience in airline operations and market volatility, opening up a vision of the future in this industry, where success comes from real decisions and pressures, and the belief that they can adapt to all of that.
Article by : Hoang Ha
Top image : Lukas Gojda – stock.adobe.com
Source: https://www.rmit.edu.vn/vi/tin-tuc/tat-ca-tin-tuc/2026/jun/%20vuot-muon-van-bat-loi-de-cat-canh
