Airports are like small cities. Thousands of employees work at every major airport employed by airlines, private vendors, or the airport directly. There are jobs for every level of experience and education at an airport in a wide range of industries. Here are some of the best careers working at airports.
Airport engineers specialize in construction and maintenance of airport structures and takeoff and landing areas. They research the location, run tests, create and models to design an efficient and structurally sound plan. The most common professional background and education for airport engineers is civil engineering. They may also be mechanical or structural engineers. Airport engineers.
Air traffic controllers coordinate aircraft traffic in the airfield and along flight paths. They communicate with pilots and issue take off and landing instructions. They monitor aircrafts using computer programs and radar or visually surveying the airfield from the airport control tower. This job requires a bachelor’s degree and completion of an FAA course. In the U.S. air traffic controllers must be U.S. citizens.
Pilots operate aircraft, flying people and cargo all over the world. They conduct pre-flight checks, work with air traffic control, assess and adjust flight paths as needed, update passengers on commercial flights, transport cargo on cargo flights. They may pilot private lanes or work for regional or national airlines. Pilots may also work in specialized fields such as shipping.
Airport planners are a subset of urban planners. They design and draw up the master plans for new airports or renovations of existing airport facilities. They research all relevant regulations and perform environmental impact studies. Airport planners meet with government officials and hold public forums to get approval for the plans. They must make adjustments to plans based on a range of factors.
Avionics technicians install, repair, and maintain equipment relating to fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. It is the job of an avionics technician to ensure that all components are clean, in good repair, and functioning properly to guarantee the safety of the passengers and crew aboard an aircraft. Avionics technicians must complete an 18-month course at an FAA-approved institution.
Airport operations managers work in airports and airfields. They coordinate with air traffic controllers, pilots, terminal agents, ground crews, and others to ensure safe, efficient operations of all aircraft in compliance with FAA regulations. This job requires a minimum bachelor’s degree in business administration. Significant experience in aviation-related employment is also necessary.
Airport managers supervise the day to day operations of an airport. This is a job with a lot of responsibility including budget planning, managing weather-related delays, signing contracts with vendors, ensuring compliance with FAA regulations, and handling customer complaints. Airport managers may also be involved with lobbying efforts with government officials and regulators to make changes at the airport.
Airport location managers supervise and run the day to day operations of any company or service which operates an airport location or branch. The title is commonly used for food service providers, rental car companies, and retail shops. For all industries, impeccable customer service skills are crucial for an airport location manager. Customers will have unique timing issues and the additional stress of travel.
Airport ramp supervisors oversee the daily work of ramp agents and work with ramp agents as they load and unload, cargo, freight, and luggage on and onto aircraft. Ramp supervisors ensure that the ramp staff is working safely and efficiently. They set the worker schedule and give station assignments. Both physical strength and management skill are necessary for this job.
Aircraft fuelers are part of the airport ground crew. The job of an aircraft fueler is to make sure that all aircraft are fueled according to the airline’s needs. Mechanical training is important, so fuelers have a good understanding of all the mechanics involved in the fueling process. The airport fueler job requires physical strength and stamina. Aircraft fuelers work outside in all weather conditions