Last Updated On 22 Jun, 2020

How to Become a Airport Operations Manager

About Airport Operations Manager

An Airport Operations Manager is a person who oversees the daily operations of an airport. He / she is responsible for ensuring that an airport is functioning as planned and all of the operations are in compliance with the prescribed regulations and policies.

On a daily basis, an Airport Operations Manager coordinates with the various departments and teams in an airport such as pilots, emergency crews, security personnel, air traffic control etc. He / she takes updates from the said departments and evaluates if their performance and functioning is as per the prescribed standards.

An Airport Operations Manager is crucial to the efficient operation of an airport. They perform regular checks and inspections, enforce any required changes in the process and take care of any problems or complaints arising in any department of an airport. They are also in charge of monitoring the performance of airport staff and acting as a supervisor for operational tasks and training.

Eligibility to become Airport Operations Manager

In order to be eligible for the role of an Airport Operations Manager in India, the minimum qualification is a bachelor’s degree. Candidates having an academic qualification related to the management stream may be preferred for these roles.

Depending on the level of the airport as well as the seniority level of the position, candidates may also be required to have completed a master’s degree and / or have relevant work experience in a related field.

Given below are the courses that should be considered by a candidate who wishes to take up a job role as an Airport Operations Manager.

UG Courses for Airport Operations Manager

  • Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

  • BBA in Aviation

  • BBA in Airport Management

PG Courses for Airport Operations Manager

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA)

  • MBA in Airport Management

Types of Job Roles Airport Operations Manager

The job of an Airport Operations Manager requires them to undertake a wide range of responsibilities. Due to their diverse job profile, they are familiar with almost all areas of operations of an airport from passenger handling to air traffic control. An Airport Operations Manager is usually required to undertake the following responsibilities as part of their job.

  • Coordinating with different departments of an airport.

  • Evaluating existing procedures and implementing new procedures to improve the functioning of an airport.

  • Monitoring that all operations at an airport are in compliance with the regulations issued by the governing body.

  • Monitoring and evaluating the performance of airport staff etc.

Employment Sector/Industry for Airport Operations Manager

Airport Operations Managers are qualified and experienced to work in the aviation sector and hence are usually hired either by airports or by airline companies. Given below are the top recruiting areas of Airport Operations Manager.

  • International Airports

  • Domestic Airports

  • Private Airports

  • Airport Authority of India (AAI)

  • Private Airlines

  • Government Airlines

  • Airport Operating Agencies etc.

Some of the top recruiting companies for Airport Operations Manager are:

  • Air India

  • IGI

  • GM Group

  • Qatar Airways

  • Emirates etc.

Planning to choose Airport Operations Manager as your career?

Pay Scale/Salary of Airport Operations Manager

The salary of an Airport Operations Manager is at par with that of an Airport Manager. The following pointers can be checked for salary details of an Airport Operations Manager.

  • The average starting salary in this field is around Rs. 2 LPA.

  • With 2 - 3 years of experience, the average salary goes up to Rs. 4 LPA.

  • The average salary earned by Airport Operations Manager is approx. Rs. 6.5 LPA.

  • For senior-level candidates, the salaries can range as high as Rs. 10 - 12 LPA.

Books & Study Material to Become Airport Operations Manager

Book

Author

Publisher

Airport Management

C. Daniel Prather

Aviation Supplies & Academics Inc

General Aviation Marketing and Management

Alexander T. Wells, Bruce D. Chadbourne

Krieger Publishing Company

Practical Aviation & Aerospace Law

Paul Hamilton, Sarah Nilsson

Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc.

Airport Planning & Management

Seth Young, Alexander Wells

McGraw-Hill Education

The Global Airline Industry

Peter Belobaba, Amedeo Odoni, Cynthia Barnhart

Wiley

Pros of becoming a Airport Operations Manager

  • It is a challenging job and provides extensive experience in the aviation industry.

  • Provides a chance to work and meet with different kinds of people.

  • Good salary.

Cons of becoming a Airport Operations Manager

  • The scope of work is limited since there are not many opportunities in the private sector in India.

  • Long / irregular work hours sometimes create health issues in professionals.

  • It is a very demanding job and can often get very hectic to manage.

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