How to Become a Airport Manager

About Airport Manager

Airport Manager manages and oversees the daily operations of an airport. Their job role is to enforce the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules, manage security, negotiate airport contact and leases. They are responsible for supervising the staff, implementing operating procedures, coordination renovation projects, monitoring airport expenditures and others. They have to take care of multiple roles, from ensuring that all the departments of the airport are functioning and are in coordination with one another. They also assign the daily work and projects to the staff or supervising the construction work. Sometimes they are also required to work with airlines and shuttle services if their job demands them to do so. Also, it is very important for airport managers to have good interpersonal and organizing skills as they spend a lot of time interacting with others. Knowledge of different languages is an asset for an Airport Manager as they have to communicate with people from all over the world.

The decision and policy-makers who oversee the management of all airport departments and generate employment are airport managers. An airport manager's role is complicated, multifaceted, and crucial to the safety of aircraft. The daily operations and activities are overseen by airport managers, who may also ensure timeliness, overall order, and compliance with safety and legal requirements. Airport managers are expected to ensure the safety of all passengers, pilots, regulatory bodies, and staff by keeping an eye on terminal operations. 

Aspiring candidates can enroll in undergraduate and postgraduate airport management or aviation programmes, such as the BBA in Airport Management, before moving on to courses that are related, like the BSc in Aviation or the BTech Avionics. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy, AIMS University, Jagannath University, IIKM Business School, and others are some of the top institutions offering programmes to become airport managers. Merit-based admissions as well as entrance exam results are used for these colleges. 

In addition to a bachelor's degree, international recruiters favour airport managers who hold the American Association of Airport Executives' (AAAE) AAE credential and have at least one year of work experience. In India, airport managers make between 5 and 7 LPA. However, the amount gradually increases as airport managers advance their careers and accumulate significant experience. An airport manager's annual salary can reach up to INR 13.06 LPA.

Roles and responsibilities of Airport Manager

The following are the airport management's most important responsibilities:

• They manage and accomplish resources and targets within the plan, such as increasing revenue and profit, increasing yield and productivity, and lowering costs
• They also keep the vehicle under control
• They must manage and adhere to all auditable company guidelines
• They are also in charge of all activities and personnel

Eligibility to become Airport Manager

A bachelor's degree in engineering, aviation management, or business administration with at least 60% marks is required for candidates interested in becoming Airport Managers. 

Or 

He/she must have a postgraduate degree in Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science with a minimum of 60%.

Note: Candidates with two years or more of prior job experience are given special consideration.

Types of Airport Manager

Airport managers learn a lot about planning, communication, and security during their training sessions. Among the various kinds of airport managers are:

• Airport Operations Managers: They are in charge of all direct communications with pilots, air traffic controllers, emergency personnel, and members of the public
• Airport Relationships Managers: An airline relationship manager is hired to act as a liaison between the airport and the airlines
• Air Traffic Controllers: They plan the flow of aircraft and coordinate their movement while ensuring their safety. They control communications by moving incoming and outgoing flights
• Ground Staff Manager: Their duties include selling tickets, confirming reservations, and giving out information about the airline, flight schedules, and luggage
• Cargo Manager: They guarantee prompt customer service delivery. Senior managers receive their reports on execution and timings

Steps to become an Airport Manager?

To become an airport manager, there are a few straightforward but crucial steps to take:

Step 1: Making a Decision Candidates must understand that they can choose this career only after obtaining the necessary educational degree. Candidates must first assess the current market conditions before selecting a course of study. Before making a choice, the candidates are required to conduct a SWOT analysis. A management background is ideal in this situation.

Step 2: Subject Selection: After completing their 10+2 education, aspirants must select the BBA Course in Airport Management because there is no specific subject combination offered by universities that would enable them to pursue their career.

Step 3: Entrance Exam Preparation: There are a number of entrance exams for airport management, including the SAT, CET, and MAH CET, which are held annually just for this position. The syllabus should not intimidate aspirants; instead, they should plan to cover it and revise it twice.

Step 4: Choosing the Right Colleges: There are numerous online resources, such as CollegeDekho, that list the top colleges based on factors such as location, ranking, cost, placement, etc. The website should be visited by each candidate to learn more about the programme, faculty, and employment opportunities. Candidates can look for NIRF or India Today rankings about the top management colleges in India and then make an informed decision.

Step 5: Following Qualifying Exam: Candidates who pass the test are then brought to the training facility for a medical checkup. The candidate will spend almost a year in training to become an effective airport manager.

How to become an Airport Manager?

The progression to a career as an airport manager begins immediately after the 10th grade. It is best to choose a commerce or arts major to become well-versed in the subjects that will help you pursue a bachelor's degree in airport management, as well as a BSc or Btech in Aviation.

Preparation at the School Level

• The eligibility requirements for BBA Airport Management apply to both entrance-based and merit-based exams
• The most recent qualifying test, the Class XII Boards, must have been passed by the candidates
• The minimum overall grade from a recognised board is required for admission to the BBA in airport management programme, which is 55%

UG Level Preparation

• The applicant must make a well-informed decision between the streams of BBA in Aviation and BBA in Airport Management
• CET, MAH CET, and other entrance-based exams for BBA are available

PG Level Preparation

• Graduates with a Masters (MBA) in airport management can also apply for Senior Position in AAI and tenure track teaching positions at colleges and universities
• The minimum cumulative GPA requirement for a BBA from a UGC-recognized college is 50% in order to qualify for an MBA in airport management
• Personal interviews and a skill assessment test, also known as the CET, are typically used in the admissions process for universities that offer programmes in airport management

Courses to become an Airport Manager 

who has a BBA in airport management and want to work as an airport manager in the aviation sector. AIMA requires a three-year, full-time undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.

1. BBA in Airport Management 

• The management strategies and policies related to airports are the focus of this course. Candidates have internship opportunities during this three-year period, putting them one step closer to becoming an airport manager
• Admission to the BBA programme is often entrance-based, but occasionally it is merit-based
• CET and SAT are two of the many entrance exams for a BBA
• To pursue a BBA, you must have a minimum GPA of 60% in 10+2
• The typical cost of a BBA programme is two LPA
• The Air Traffic Control, Staff, Finance, and Cargo Department courses in the BBA in Airport Management
• Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University administers the CET, a national examination

2. BSc in Aviation 

• A three-year undergraduate degree in aviation called a BSc will give students the theoretical and practical knowledge they need to become professionals
• Being a specialisation degree, the course will put a lot of emphasis on management, scientific, and analytical skills
• The typical tuition for a BSc in aviation is 2 Lac (INR), though it could be as high as £9000 if studied abroad
• To be admitted to BS, you must have an international IELTS score of 7
• The minimum requirements for eligibility are a background in pure science with a 55% overall average and a valid JEE Mains, BITSAT, or COMEDK score
• In India, NIT ROURKELA, IIT Madras, and IIT Bombay are the top universities to attend for BSc Aviation programmes

3. BTech in Avionics 

• The fundamentals of an airplane's mechanics are covered by the BTech in Avionics.
• It is a four-year, full-time undergraduate programme
• It will give students the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to become registered as professional engineers
• The course will specifically emphasise Material Science, Process Modelling, and Fluid Mechanics because it is a specialty nursing degree
• The course also covers a wide range of topics, including instrumentation, robotics, and automation as well as creative interaction and embodiment design
• The minimum requirement for eligibility is a background in pure science with a cumulative GPA of 55% and a valid JEE Advanced score

Types of Job Roles Airport Manager

The job profiles for airport managers are usually restricted to the field of aviation or airport. However, airport managers gain a lot of experience in terms of airport planning, airport and passenger security, communications which increase their employability and opens opportunities for various different job profiles. Some of the popular airport manager job profiles are :

Air Traffic Controller: Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of air traffic, to ensure that aircraft stay safe distances apart. They also manage communications by transferring control of departing flights to traffic control centres and accepting control of arriving flights

 Airport Operations Manager: Airport operations managers are required to interact directly with pilots, air traffic control tower personnel, tenants, emergency crews and the public. This position requires that the manager government ordinances and laws ensure smooth operations at the airport.

Airline Relationship Manager: Airline relationship manager are responsible for managing all the tasks related to the airline. All the communication between the airline and airport is done through them.

Employment Opportunities for Airport Manager

Check out the popular employment opportunities for Airport Manager here:  

• Domestic Airports
• International Airports
• AirIndia
• Jet Airways
• Qatar Airways
• Emaar
• Emirates

Top Recruiting Companies for Airport Manager

Some of the popular companies that hire airport manager are listed below:

• GMR Group
• Octamec Group
• Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Ltd.
• Air India
• IGAI

Skills Required to Become an Airport Manager

To be the best airport manager, you need to acquire the following abilities:

• Excellent Intellectual Ability
• Presentation Ability
• Think Logically
• Analytical Skills
• Communication Ability
• Current Management Strategy Knowledge
• Detailing is Important
• Solving Problems Abilities

Pay Scale/Salary of Airport Manager

The salary of an airport manager depends on whether they are working with domestic or international airport and size. It also depends upon the location i.e. whether the airport is located in a small city/ metropolitan city and the sector they are handling. The salary of an airport manager in India is somewhere between Rs. 5,00,000 annually and can go up to Rs.10,00,000 with professional experience and job growth.

Career Path for an Airport Manager

Becoming an airport manager is a great career choice, particularly in the current rapidly shifting economic climate. The demand for skilled Airport Managers as well as other officers with specialised knowledge in this field has increased due to the aviation industry's rapid growth in India and abroad. Additionally, it is a very safe percentage because the industry is virtually recession-proof.

With positions like Manager - Operations, Manager - Customer Relations Service, Manager - Air traffic Control, Marketing manager, etc. being available, there is a wide range of employment opportunities for airport managers with specialisation in airport planning, airport security, passenger forecasting, fire safety, handling dangerous goods, communication systems, etc.

Benefits of Becoming an Airport Manager

Airport managers oversee daily operations and enforce Federal Aviation Administration regulations. With the stress, there are lot of benefit as Airport Manager

Salary: A beginning airport manager makes about INR 5 - INR 6 LPA, while mid-level and senior managers make more than INR 10 LPA annually. Although it cannot be the only factor, some people may choose to work for a high salary. The Airport Authority also awards bonuses and allowances to airport managers.

Job Security: Being an agent for airlines and airports is one of the more distinctive jobs, in terms of job security. Since there is a growing need for qualified BBA graduates to work as airport managers, there is a high degree of job security.

Positive Career Impact: Candidates gain knowledge as they are transferred to departments. Being able to manage and assist the general public on a daily basis is rewarding in and of itself.

Experience that is Unique: Unlike other jobs, airport management requires candidates to multitask and manage a variety of daily operations in an airport.

Books & Study Material to Become Airport Manager

To become an Airport Manager candidates must have a strong background in physics and mathematics. Once the candidates are done with their formal training, it is mandatory for them to obtain the AAE certification which includes a personal interview and written test. Listed below are some of the popular books that will help you become an airport manager and obtain AAE certification: 

Air Traffic Controller Career Prep by Patrick R Mattson

• Automation and Systems Issues in Air Traffic Control (Nato ASI Subseries F:)” by John A Wise and V David Hopkins
• Fundamentals of Air Traffic Michael S Nolan
• The Pilots Air Traffic Control Handbook by Paul E Gilman
• Air Traffic Control Test Prep by Learningexpress LLC

Apart from this Airport managers should have strong communication skills and must have a good hold on business communication. This is because their job requires them to communicate every day with the airport personnel every day to deliver daily tasks. Therefore, right communication is one of the most important aspects of it and reading books regarding business communication can act as an extra judge.

Pros of becoming a Airport Manager

• During one’s career as an airport manager, they get to manage various job roles which are not offered by most of the other jobs.
• The job of an airport manager is very satisfying and rewarding.
• You get to manage people from different walks of life which improves your managerial and leadership skills.

Cons of becoming a Airport Manager

• At times airport managers are required to work around the clock and on weekdays as well which can cause serious health problems.
• There is not much for an airport manager to explore in other industries. Hence, it is a very restrictive field.
• The job role requires an airport manager to manage many roles and departments which can be very exhausting.