The aviation industry is indeed huge in itself and comprises of several sub-sectors, each of which holds its own share of prominence. In this article, we will be shedding light on the career scope and potential in one of the key segments of the aviation industry, i.e., Airport Management. We will discuss the different facets and factors associated with choosing airport management as a career path in detail.
30-second summary:
- Airport management deals with day-to-day operations and planning of airports and airlines.
- The airport managers have the duty to oversee all the departments and their functioning.
- Leadership skills, communication skills, multitasking, and working under pressure are important abilities of an airport manager.
- Job prospects and pay packages continue to remain good in the domain of airport management.
There is something about being a part of the eclectic atmosphere of an airport that will always remain unlike any other working environment. A fast-paced and bustling setting with a constant influx of people day and night undoubtedly make it quite a challenging place to work in, but also brings with it an increased level of job satisfaction. And, at Avlon Shiksha Niketan, a leading aviation training institute in Siliguri, we believe that this is one of the primary reasons why the career path of airport management will always remain high in demand among those looking to find their place in the aviation industry.
Airport managers are the policymakers and decision-makers for the airports who hold the responsibility of overseeing the management of every airport department. It is a multifaceted job role that extends from the supervision of varied areas, such as maintenance, security, finance, and more, to a hands-on approach at crisis aversion and mitigation.
If the prospect of taking this career path gets you all excited, then we, at Avlon Shiksha Niketan, have some insights that will really help you in preparing yourself for the future.
The Duties and Responsibilities of Airport Management Professionals
As we have already mentioned before, airport management is a vast field that encompasses many roles. So, generally, the airport management professionals hold the responsibility of the following matters:
- Compliance with all forms of government guidelines
- Planning budgets
- Adapting to outside factors, such as weather conditions
- Maintaining accurate records
- Overseeing the repair and maintenance of airport equipment
Thus, as you can see, airport management is basically about handling the everyday operations of the airport and airlines, while also overseeing the departments and employees. As far as the airport managers are concerned, even though they need to deal with plenty of major and minor issues, their primary duties pertain to airport regulations, safety, and budget planning. Typically, airport managers have to work during regular business hours, but that’s just a norm. The wide range of responsibilities also means that the airport managers need to remain available for responding to emergencies at any hour of the day, for instance, when weather or any other factor impacts flight schedules.
Education, Experience, and Training to Join Airport Management
There are certain requirements in terms of education, experience, and training when it comes to joining airport management, and they are as follows:
- Educational qualifications: Of course, you don’t need to be a pilot for managing an airport, but you will definitely need relevant education in airport management. You should at least have completed your school-level examinations before joining our one year course in Skilled Professional in Airport Management (SPAM).
- Experience matters: Irrespective of the size of the airport, an airport manager is expected to have some experience in the field. You will need to have a couple of years of experience in airport management as a department head before you are deemed ready to manage the entire airport. But yes, upon completing our program in airport management, you can put your hands on several other roles in airport management like passenger handling, cabin crew, customer service, fares and ticketing, and more.
- Competencies and skills to become an airport manager: Sound business skills and familiarity with aviation regulations are crucial in this career path. However, we believe that being a good airport manager also entails having the following soft skills.
- Ability to multitask: Airports have a lot going on, right from security systems, customer services, to scheduling, and more. Efficient airport managers consistently need to remain on top of the issues within various departments.
- Leadership skills: A well-functioning airport has a strong team consisting of department heads and other employees. And, an airport manager is the leader of this entire team, trying to get the best work from all of them.
- Keeping calm during the crisis: Regardless of the size of the airport, there are several issues that pop up almost every day, be it unpredictable weather conditions or emergency safety arrangements. The ability to offer calm leadership under duress is the mark of a successful airport manager.
- Communication skills: Besides giving directions and listening to the department heads and other employees, an airport manager also has to effectively communicate with representatives from other agencies, such as the government or the local communities.
Job Outlook in Airport Management
Reports suggest that the aviation industry has been grappling with a major shortfall of talent. Going by the numbers, out of the requirement of 15,800 ground personnel, only 9,200 are currently available. Because of the huge mismatch between the demand and supply of qualified professionals in the sector, the employment scenario in the aviation sector will remain positive, even when keeping the ongoing crisis in mind. Studies reveal that within the next two years, the industry can possibly add around 18,000 jobs across all functions and levels.
So yes, there’s a huge career scope in airport management; however, it is also a fact that becoming a competent airport management professional entails being trained to perfection in different real-world and practical skills related to the aviation industry. And, this is where Avlon Shiksha Niketan, a renowned aviation institute in Siliguri, comes into the picture as your guiding light in turning you into a skilled professional ready to take on the job role.
With our comprehensive curriculum, taught by highly dedicated and experienced mentors, you will be each day taken a step closer to fulfilling your dream of working as an airport manager in future. So, come and join us at Avlon Shiksha Niketan, and let’s give wings to your career aspirations.