How to Become an Airport Manager?

Are you passionate about aviation but don't see a career in becoming a pilot? Why not go for airport management? A career in airport management requires quick thinking, adaptability, and flexibility. It is a career path that blends customer service and problem-solving skills, all while ensuring that the airports operate smoothly and safely. If all this excites you, then you must be thinking about how to become an airport manager. This blog gives a detailed view of the steps you will take to reach your destination.

Who is an Airport Manager?

As an airport manager, it will be up to you to ensure that the airport operates smoothly and follows all aviation regulations. This may include monitoring construction or maintenance-related projects, budgeting costs, carrying out inspections, and managing the schedules of other airport personnel. A career in airport management requires a thorough understanding of the rules and regulations laid down by the country's aviation authorities. Besides the day-to-day functioning, you will also be required to develop yearly goals for airport development while studying areas where you see scope for improvement. If you are thinking about how to become a manager in airport, this is the right time to jump on the bandwagon with more and more airports opening up.

Navigating the Path to a Career in Airport Management

Step 1: Education

When thinking about how to become an airport manager, it is essential to understand that airport management is a specialized job. A bachelor's degree in aviation management, business administration, or a related field is usually a mandatory prerequisite to enter the vertical. Courses like those above help you gain primary knowledge about airports' functions. If you are still unsure about how to become a manager in airport, consider more specialized courses that solely focus on airport management. To top it up, you can also go for an MBA in airport management or a specialized master's degree in aviation management, which will open doors to higher-level positions.

These are also the steps you should take when considering how to become an airport manager after 12th grade. Additionally, you can pursue industry-recognized certifications to demonstrate expertise and enhance employability.

Step 2: Develop Your Skill Set

Besides the educational qualifications that airports consider when interviewing candidates, you can also focus on developing the skills to become a successful airport manager. These skills will go a long way toward ensuring that you do well in your chosen career path.

• Leadership: You are in charge of the airport. This means your job will be to inspire and motivate your team to achieve their goals. Leadership skills will also help you foster a positive work environment where everyone feels valued and works for a collective goal.
• Team management: Airports consist of numerous departments. You are responsible for setting up processes, managing and coordinating various departments, and ensuring smooth operations.
• Organizational skill: It is very easy for things to unravel in a fast-paced environment like an airport. When thinking about how to become an airport manager, also consider that the manager's job is to maintain order and efficiency while managing multiple responsibilities.
• Delegation: An airport manager can't do it all. This is why you must know how to assign tasks and responsibilities effectively.
• Communication: Communication is an essential skill in any career, but more so in airport management because of the dynamic nature of an airport. Airport managers must convey information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, including passengers, airline staff, regulatory authorities, and other stakeholders.
• Customer service: When you take up any course after thinking about how to become a manager in airport, customer service will be part of your curriculum. You must learn how to address passenger concerns and ensure a positive travel experience.
• Adaptability: Airports are dynamic. You never know when a process runs an error. Understanding how to adjust to changing situations while remaining calm and focused under pressure is critical.
• Aviation knowledge: Airports are high-risk areas, so airport managers must run their airports according to the necessary aviation and safety protocols.

Step 3: Go for Internships

The proper education and the correct skill set can prepare you for the role, but only experience can help you hone your skills. Internships are the best way to do so. You can find internships online, through your institute, or by contacting the airport directly. Additionally, you can join a professional association or network for networking opportunities and access to resources, events, and training. Some of the leading groups for airport management are the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), Airport Council International (ACI), International Association of Airport Executives (IAAE), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Step 4: Work at an Airport

When thinking about how to become an airport manager, don't forget the vastly important role of experience. If you cannot get a job in airport management straightaway, you can try for similar roles in other sectors, such as retail or hospitality. The experience you gain, especially managerial ones, will be helpful when you apply for airport manager jobs.

Alternatively, you can also apply for other roles in an airport or with an airline. Flight attendant, baggage handler, or customer services advisor are all roles from which you can switch to airport management. This allows you to see how the industry operates from both sides and gives you insight into what goes into running an airport.

Now, if you have learned how to become airport manager after 12th and have the relevant education, you can also apply for assistant manager jobs once you have gained managerial experience in some other sector. As an assistant manager, you will oversee various aspects of airport operations.

What are the Job Duties of an Airport Manager?

We looked at how to become a manager in airport. Let's glimpse what a typical day in an airport manager's day looks like. Like many general managers, airport managers are also responsible for human resources management, budgeting, marketing, and business development. In addition to this, they also ensure that the airport functions smoothly on any given day, providing a positive travel experience to the countless managers who take a flight. Safety regulations and aviation protocols are paramount to airport managers. This is another area where the airport manager has to ensure that all rules are being adhered to by every stakeholder. The job description of an airport manager varies, whether working in a small airport or a big one.

How Much do Airport Managers Earn?

If you have looked at how to become an airport manager, you might also be interested in knowing the salary of an airport manager. The wages of an airport manager vary, depending on the location, expertise, seniority level, and education. If you are considering how to become airport manager after 12th, you will likely go for a bachelor's degree in aviation management, giving you an entry-level job in airport management. In countries like the USA, an entry-level airport manager's salary is around $68,041 annually. As you progress in your career, this increases. For instance, in the US, experienced workers potentially earn up to $108,022. Similarly, the salary of an airport manager in the UK ranges from £34,000 to £61,000 ($44,006.96 to $78,953.67) per year. Airport managers also get additional pay in bonuses, overtime, and profit sharing. Experience plays a key role in augmenting the wages in airport management, no matter the country.

Airport Management Job Outlook

Did you know that according to the Airports Council International (ACI) World and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), global passenger traffic will reach 19.5 billion by 2024? That's a twofold increase to the recorded levels of 2024. What does this mean for airport management?  Well, airports have to look at ways to scale, which will drive the demand for airport managers. Here's a detailed look at factors that will increase the demand for airport managers:

• Increased air travel: With global air travel expanding at a phenomenal pace, the need for well-run airports and skilled airport management professionals will only increase.
• Airport expansion and modernization: Many existing airports worldwide are expanding and upgrading themselves, creating new opportunities in areas such as airport management and customer experience.
• Technological advancement: The aviation industry is embracing new technologies, requiring airport managers to stay competitive and ahead of the curve.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, the aviation industry is fast-paced, requiring a very specialized skill set from those who want to make a career in it. Airport management can be an exciting route for many. The job blends customer services, general management, and revenue generation and provides a workday that can sometimes be unpredictable. For many, that makes it a worthwhile career. If you are an aspiring airport manager with the proper skill set and education, it is time to apply for airport manager jobs.