Diagnose · Stage 02
Gap analysis for
cabin operations.
A disciplined comparison between how the cabin operation runs today and the standard it is meant to meet — with every gap classified, prioritized and assigned.
What a Gap Analysis Is
Current practice
against the standard
A gap analysis measures the distance between documented requirements and actual practice. EDAERO identifies where procedures exist but are not followed, where practice exists but is not documented, and where neither exists.
Each gap is classified by type and risk, prioritized, and linked to a recommended corrective action with an owner and target date. The result is a working plan, not a commentary.
Gap types we classify
- Documentation gapThe requirement is not written down, or the document is outdated.
- Implementation gapThe procedure exists but is not applied consistently on the line.
- Competency gapCrew have not been trained, or cannot yet demonstrate the required standard.
- Resource gapEquipment, time, vendors or information needed to comply are missing.
Operational Challenges Addressed
Where the difference usually hides
Written versus actual
Manuals describe one process; experienced crew run another that works for them but cannot be replicated.
Training versus competence
Records show attendance, but practical performance on board does not reflect the training content.
Safety versus service tension
Service routines that unintentionally conflict with cabin safety procedures, such as galley stowage before take-off.
Base-to-base inconsistency
Two bases, or two aircraft types, operating to different unwritten standards.
Inherited documentation
Procedures adopted from another operator or aircraft that no longer match the operation.
Unprioritized findings
Long lists of issues with no ranking, so nothing gets fixed first.
Methodology
Five steps from evidence to plan
Define the reference standard
Confirm which documents and requirements apply, including the operation's regulatory basis.
Current-state assessment
Evidence from records, observation and interviews, or from an existing EDAERO audit.
Compare and classify
Each requirement assessed: met, partially met or not met, with gap type recorded.
Risk classification & priority
Likelihood × consequence, producing High, Medium and Low priorities.
Corrective action & planning
Recommended action, owner, target date and the stage that will deliver it.
Example Gap Analysis Matrix
What the output looks like
Hypothetical example for illustration only. It does not describe any real operator or engagement.
| Ref | Area | Required standard | Current practice | Gap type | Priority | Recommended action | Owner | Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G-01 | Catering & Provisioning | Allergens confirmed in writing with caterer for every order | Confirmed verbally on some missions | Implementation | High | Add allergen confirmation to catering order form; brief all crew | Cabin Manager | 30 days |
| G-02 | Operational Readiness | Type-specific cabin procedures for each aircraft | Single procedure used for two aircraft types | Documentation | High | Issue type-specific galley and cabin securing procedures | Head of Operations | 60 days |
| G-03 | Crew Competency | Recurrent cabin training at the interval set in the operator's manual | Two freelance crew without recorded recurrent training | Competency | Medium | Schedule recurrent session; extend records to freelance crew | Training Lead | 45 days |
| G-04 | Post-Flight Handover | Written post-flight report after each mission | Handover by message, not retained | Documentation | Medium | Introduce one-page post-flight report | Cabin Manager | 30 days |
| G-05 | Inventory Control | Beverage stock reconciled monthly | Reconciled only when stock runs low | Implementation | Low | Monthly reconciliation against par list | Cabin Lead per aircraft | 90 days |
Priority = likelihood × consequence. Targets are illustrative.
Expected Deliverables
A plan your team
can work from
Scope-dependent. A gap analysis can cover the full operation or a defined area such as catering, documentation or a new aircraft entry into service.
- Gap Analysis MatrixEvery requirement, its status, gap type, priority, action, owner and date.
- Priority SummaryOne page for management: the high-priority gaps and the decisions they require.
- Corrective Action RecommendationsSpecific actions, routed to the stage best placed to deliver them.
- Implementation PlanSequenced timeline with dependencies and quick wins identified.
Operational Benefits
What changes
in the operation
- Gaps classified by cause, so the right fix is applied
- Clear priorities and named owners
- A matrix that becomes the live corrective-action log
- Evidence of progress for owners, clients and auditors
Who It Is For
Designed for
operators
For operators that need to know precisely where they stand against their own standard before investing in redesign or training.
- Private jet operators
- Aircraft management companies
- Corporate flight departments
- Operators adding aircraft or bases
- New operations preparing for service
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you enquire
What is the difference between the audit and a gap analysis?
The audit establishes the current state across all 16 operational areas. A gap analysis compares that current state against a defined standard — the operator's own manuals and service standards, contractual commitments or a target standard the operator has chosen — and quantifies the difference. It can be run as part of the audit or on its own for a specific area.
Which standard do you measure against?
The operator's. Gaps are measured against documented requirements that apply to the operation: its manuals and SOPs, its regulatory basis, client or owner agreements, and any target standard management sets. Where no standard exists, that absence is itself recorded as a gap.
Can we run a gap analysis before adding an aircraft or base?
Yes. It is a practical way to confirm what must be in place — procedures, equipment, trained crew, vendors — before the new aircraft or base enters service.
Is the matrix shared in a spreadsheet?
The matrix is delivered in a format your team can maintain, typically a structured spreadsheet, so it can become the working corrective-action log.
The EDAERO Operational Cycle
Where this stage fits
- 01AuditExplore →
- 02Gap AnalysisExplore →
- 03Operational RedesignExplore →
- 04Manuals / SOPs / FormsExplore →
- 05Customized TrainingExplore →
- 06Practical AssessmentExplore →
- 07Corrective / Recurrent TrainingExplore →
- 08Performance MonitoringExplore →
- 09Follow-Up AuditExplore →
Diagnose · 01–02Design · 03–04Implement · 05Measure · 06–08Sustain · 09
Request a Gap Analysis
Know exactly
where you stand.
Tell us which standard you are measuring against and which areas concern you most.