Throughout the whole assignment, there will be various information about how businesses run, what is entailed in running a business, e. g. setting objectives. Also, different organisational structures will be explained, the cultures of the business, management styles. Other information will also be included to with the business world. To make it possible for me to elaborate on each section of the assignment, I will be using BAA Airlines to base my findings on. I will be discussing different sections of BAA Airlines and how the business works.

Another business may be involved in this assignment, if a certain piece of information is not available from BAA Airlines. About BAA Airlines. BAA is the largest single airport operator in the world, a major commercial landlord, retailer and developer BAA own seven airports, including the busiest international airport ‘Heathrow’. They also have management contracts or stakes in ten different airports outside the UK. They also have management contracts at airports in the USA. Every year BAA Airlines take responsibility for 200 million passengers travelling through airports.

They are continuing to develop their response to the passengers needs. History of BAA Airlines (1960’s +) 1960s; Ministry of Civil Aviation controlled all commercial aviation. Rapid technological advance and a huge increase in traffic resulted in day-to-day business of running major airports becoming too complex for a central government department. 1965; Labour Minister for Aviation, Roy Jenkins, promoted the Airports Authority Bill. His key argument was the nation’s airports could be more flexible and better able to generate profits, remaining responsible to Parliament.

The Bill was passed and the British Airports Authority established. April 1966> British Airports Authority assumed ownership and responsibility for Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Prestwick airports in Scotland. 1971> Acquired Edinburgh Airport from the Government. 1975> Acquired Aberdeen Airport from the CAA and Glasgow from Glasgow Corporation. 1986> Airports Act was passed; calling for dissolution of the authority and the transfer of its property, rights and liabilities to a new company, BAA plc.

July 1987> BAA plc was successfully floated on the Stock Market with a capitalisation of i?? 1,225 million, reflecting the long profitability record of the organisation and high standing in the commercial aviation industry internationally. 1988> HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh officially opened Gatwick’s North Terminal, a i?? 250 million investment. Business objectives There are many different business objectives, which can be used in the business. The business objectives can be put into three different categories

1. Maximising Objectives 2. Satisficing Objectives 3. Minimising Objectives Maximising Objectives Maximising objectives are the ones, which a business uses if they want to reach the maximum, make the most out of something. Depending on the organisation of the business will differ the objectives of the business. It is assumed that many organisations are in business as profit maximisers, however there are other areas, which organisations might prefer to maximise on.