From the control tower to Cranfield: My journey to shaping the future of airports

Hi, I’m Karima Lakouz, and this is the new me! I’m a Moroccan full-time student, aiming to graduate in 2026 with an MSc in Airport Planning and Management from Cranfield University.

My journey didn’t start in a lecture hall; it began in the Control Tower. For years, as an Air Traffic Control Engineer, my world was defined by split-second decisions and tactical precision, managing complex aircraft flows with complete safety.

But over time, I realised the biggest challenges I faced weren’t about the now; they were strategic. I wanted to understand the bigger picture: how terminals are designed, how passenger experience is shaped, and how operational bottlenecks are solved long before they ever reach the runway. Just as importantly, wanting to grasp how runways, taxiways, and the entire airside area are built and designed, how these critical infrastructures come together to support safe, efficient operations, and connect seamlessly with the passenger journey.

Why Cranfield?

This strategic mindset is exactly what led me to Cranfield. Its global reputation in aerospace combined with its intensely hands-on approach to airport management, made it the perfect place to bridge my operational experience with strategic planning insight. The course offers insights into airport design, operations, and business, modules that are transforming me from a tactical operator into a strategic planner. What I love is how my background in Air Traffic Control gives me a unique lens for every project. Whether I’m analysing outlet performance or drafting an action plan as an airport duty manager, I’m always thinking about flow, timing, and impact.

“Cranfield is truly the place to expand my knowledge and reshape my vision. It’s allowing me to not only manage the journey of an aircraft but also help design the future of the airport experience itself.”

Unforgettable moments and real-world readiness

The MSc is intense, insightful, and incredibly rewarding. Coming from Air Traffic Control, I thought I knew airport operations, but Cranfield showed me the enormous complexity behind terminal design, outlet performance, and customer experience strategy. I’ve found myself analysing spatial layouts, benchmarking KPIs, and crafting action plans for real-time challenges.

The highlights have been unforgettable: attending seminars by industry leaders like Steven Greenway, Anita Gackowska, and Dame Sue Gray; getting hands-on with real operational challenges during a visit to the Cranfield Boeing 737- 436 donated by British Airways; and taking part in exclusive study visits to global aviation hubs.

The Paris trip was especially transformative. We explored Air France headquarters and Charles de Gaulle Airport, and standing before the Concorde was a breathtaking reminder of how far human innovation can reach. Meeting Cranfield alumni and MSc graduates now thriving in the industry gave me a surge of confidence, showing me the doors, this degree can open.

With the Montréal trip still ahead, I’ve only been here a couple of months, yet the course hasn’t just met my expectations, it has completely exceeded them.

The curriculum here doesn’t just teach theory; it immerses us in real operational challenges, closing the gap between theory and practice by bringing in lecturers directly from the industry. Cranfield is definitely preparing me to step into the operations world with clarity and impact.

Dreaming bigger: Career development and future orbit

One of the most transformative aspects has been Cranfield’s emphasis on career development, not just in theory, but through real, actionable support. From day one, we’re encouraged to think like airport planners and strategists.

What truly elevated my aspirations was Cranfield’s Career and Employability Service. Their workshops, one-on-one coaching, and networking events like the Career Fair have helped me envision career paths I hadn’t even considered, like consulting. The CV and cover letter clinics were invaluable; they helped me refine how I communicate my strengths in ways that truly resonate with potential employers. Cranfield is not just preparing me for a job but helping me reimagine my career and broaden my scope.

If you’d asked me a year ago, I might have simply said, “Airport Operations.” Now, as I dive deeper into stakeholder engagement and operational analysis, I realise my goal is holistic: to gain a 360-degree view of the aviation industry and find a role where my air traffic control background becomes a strategic advantage.

Life beyond the lecture hall

Life at Cranfield isn’t just about lectures; it’s a full orbit of learning, teamwork, and cosmic curiosity. My days are packed with intense, inspiring lectures from 9 to 5. Once the academic engines cool down, you might find me at the sports centre, or with the Astronomical Society, praying for clear skies to fire up the telescope (Io’s volcanic glow is still on my bucket list!). And during race week, I’m at an F1 watch-along, debating strategy like it’s a group project.

Whenever someone asks me about studying at Cranfield, one word always comes to mind: Insightful. Not just academically, but personally and socially. My classmates come from all over the world, and every group project becomes a global exchange of ideas. Studying here is about shaping who you are and challenging yourself to the core.

My advice to future aviation students

If you’re considering a future in aviation, here’s my firm advice: DIVE IN. It may look simple from the outside, but once you’re immersed, you’ll discover a complex world of coordination, constant evolution, and endless opportunities. Aviation doesn’t just change your career; it changes you. You’ll learn to think critically, manage time like a pro, and collaborate across cultures. And one more thing, if you always look up every time you hear a plane, don’t think twice, Aviation is for you.

People often ask me to share a fun fact about myself, and honestly, I never know what to say. I’m a proud Chevening Scholar, and I once had the incredible opportunity to meet and collaborate with Michelle Obama and Meryl Streep on a girls’ education initiative. My journey has been full of unexpected turns and valuable opportunities, taking me from the Air Traffic Control Tower to Cranfield, and each step has reinforced my belief that anything is possible. Who knows, maybe I’ll even be orbiting Earth one day. Ultimately, I believe in dreaming boldly, working hard, and continuing to surprise people, myself included.

Karima Lakouz with Steven Greenway, CEO of flyadeal airline