The aviation industry is poised for a decade of growth after widespread disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic, making it an attractive time to seek a career in the field.
In the UK, the sector is growing at a rate of 5% every year, which means there is plenty of opportunity for those who want to pursue a career in aviation.
The UK aviation industry is worth £22.7 billion and employs over 1.2 million people, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The aviation industry supports more than 2.4 million jobs in the US and that number is expected to grow significantly in the next two decades. This means that there is a greater opportunity for you to find your place in the field.
Aviation management positions have a lot to offer, providing you with a combination of responsibility, a varied day-to-day working life, excellent employee benefits and good pay.
New digital technologies are constantly reshaping how airlines operate. Various new technologies have been effectively enhancing airlines' seamless operations and providing their customers with a frictionless flying experience, and digital innovations will continue to transform the aviation industry in future.
Airport management careers offer a diverse range of roles with responsibilities.
Some of these include
- implementing healthy business practices
- evaluating whether an airport meets local and federal safety and security standards
- streamlining logistics
- ensuring passenger safety
- and training airline employees.
Management personnel in larger airports tend to oversee multiple departments, while smaller airports need managers to take on more specialised job responsibilities in areas such as finance, security, maintenance, supply chains, and more.
Skills Required for Airport Management Careers
Given the dynamic nature of the aviation industry, airport managers need a variety of skills and knowledge to be successful.
If you are interested in a career in aviation management you should be familiar with the organisation and control of airports, as well as the finances, scheduling, and regulations involved in airport operations.
In addition to knowing the industry, you need to be able to:
- Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Create financial plans for various departments and projects
- Provide calm leadership when facing unpredictable situations
- Manage multiple teams to make sure that tasks are completed as required
- Handle competing priorities and deadlines
As we emerge and recover from the pandemic, airports have a unique opportunity to reimagine the future and transform challenges into opportunities for advancement. Airport managers can seize this opportunity and make a difference in the future of air travel.
Benefits of Working in the Aviation Management Sector
Working within the field of aviation management has significant benefits.d
International Career
The international nature of aviation management makes it attractive to a lot of people. Not only is there the potential for travel within the role itself, but the nature of the aviation industry also means the skills and knowledge are transferable to other locations. As a result, people working in managerial positions often find themselves attracting interest from different organisations, and this can help to make opportunities to work abroad plentiful.
Meet New People & Work Within Different Cultures
Another benefit of aviation management that is sometimes overlooked is the social aspect of the role. As an aviation manager, you will meet a vast number of different people, with these potentially including travellers, clients, your employees, business partners and other aviation managers. You also have the potential to work within various cultures, meaning your career will continuously throw up new and exciting situations.
Career Development
When you begin your first role in aviation management, you are likely to receive significant management training, which will help you to develop skills that can be used for the remainder of your career. However, your career development will not end there. As a manager, you are likely to be among the first to learn how to use new technology, and you may be able to gain industry qualifications. You will also encounter opportunities to attend workshops, conferences and other similar events.
Travel & Holiday Benefits
Finally, the majority of aviation management jobs will provide significant travel and holiday-related benefits. For instance, most airlines will offer managers substantial discounts on flights, and some may even offer a certain number of free flights. However, the benefits often extend beyond this, to include discounts on things like car rentals, train tickets and hotel stays, meaning you are likely to have the opportunity to travel and also save money at the same time.
Overall, the aviation management industry is growing putting you in the perfect position for the career you want. See our upcoming aviation management courses.
