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Airport Managers are the decision- and policy-makers who handle the administration of every airport department and create jobs. The job of an airport manager is multifaceted, complex and essential to aircraft safety. Airport managers oversee daily operations and activities, which may include timeliness, overall order in the airport, and adherence to safety and legal requirements. By monitoring terminal operations, Airport managers are expected to ensure the safety of all patrons, pilots, regulatory bodies, and personnel.
In order to become an airport manager, aspiring candidates can pursue undergraduate and postgraduate airport management or aviation courses, such as BBA in Airport Management, followed by other related courses such as BSc in Aviation or BTech Avionics. Some of the top colleges offering courses to become Airport Manager are Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy, AIMS University, Jagannath University, IIKM Business School etc. Admissions to these colleges are done both on the basis of merit as well as on the basis entrance exams. Apart from a bachelors’ degree, recruiters abroad prefer airport managers who possess the AAE credential offered by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) along with at least one year of work experience.
Airport managers in India earn INR 5 LPA – 7 LPA. The amount however witnesses gradual rise after airport managers gain substantial years of experience and upgrade themselves. The highest salary of an Airport manager can go upto as much as INR 13.06 LPA.
- How to Become an Airport Manager: Quick Facts
- Types of Airport Manager
- Steps to Become an Airport Manager
- How to Become an Airport Manager in India
4.1 How to Become an Airport Manager After 12th
5.2 Other Courses
5.2.1 BSc in Aviation
5.2.2 BTech Avionics
6.1 UK
6.2 USA
6.3 Canada
6.4 Australia
10.2 Specialisation Wise
10.3 Experience Wise
How to Become an Airport Manager: Quick Facts
| Industry | Aviation |
| Eligibility | BBA in Airport Management |
| Average Starting Salary | 5,00,000 – 7,00,000 Lac |
| Job Opportunity | Airport Operations Manager, Airport Relationship Manager,Air Traffic Controller |
Types of Airport Manager
Airport Managers gain a lot of experience during their training days in Airport Security, Planning and Communication. Some of the types of Airport Manager are:
- Airport Operations Manager: They are responsible for direct interactions with pilots, aircraft traffic control personnel, emergency staff and the general public.
- Airline Relationship Manager: They are appointed as a mediator of communication between the airlines and the airport.
- Air Traffic Controller: They coordinate air traffic and their movement and ensure safety of the aircraft. They manage communications by transferring arriving and departing flights.
- Ground Staff Manager: Their work is to provide information regarding the airline, airline timings, luggage, confirming and selling tickets.
- Cargo Manager: They ensure timely delivery of customer service. They report execution and timings to senior managers.
Steps to become an Airport Manager
There are some simple yet important steps in order to be an Airport Manager:
- Step 1 – Decision Making: Aspirants must understand that they can choose this career only after fulfilling the required educational degree.The candidates are required to take stock of the present market situation and then pick up a course. The candidates are required to perform a SWOT analysis before they make a final decision. Here in this case, a Management background is perfect.
- Step 2 – Subject Choices: There is no such specific subject combination offered by schools that would help them to pursue their career yet after 10+2 aspirants must choose BBA Course in Airport Management.
- Step 3 – Entrance Exam Preparation: There are several entrance exams for Airport Management: SAT,CET,MAH CET which are conducted once in a year specifically for this post. Aspirants must not be intimidated by the syllabus, rather they should make a strategy to cover the syllabus and revise it twice.
- Step 4 – Selecting Correct Colleges: There are a number of online portals like Collegedunia which recommend the best colleges according to the location, ranking, fees, placement etc. Candidates must take the benefit of such sources and they individually should visit the website to learn more about the course, faculty and placement opportunities.Candidates can look for NIRF or India Today ranking about the top management colleges in India and then decide accordingly.
- Step 5 – After Qualifying The Exam: After qualifying candidates are sent for medical examination then to the training centre. The training is almost a year to build the candidate as an efficient Airport Manager.
How to Become an Airport Manager in India
The career path to become an airport manager begins right after class 10th, to select commerce or arts stream preferably to get well versed with subjects that will help pursue BBA in airport management, or BSc or Btech in aviation at bachelors’ level.
School Level Preparation
- For BBA Airport Management the eligibility criteria is applicable for both Merit based or Entrance based examination.
- The candidates must have cleared the last qualifying examination which is Class XII Boards.
- In order to get admission in BBA in airport management the minimum aggregate is 55% from a recognized board.
How to Become an Airport Manager After 12th
UG Level Preparation
- Candidate must choose wisely from the stream i.e. BBA in Aviation and BBA in Airport Management .
- The entrance based examinations for BBA are CET, MAH CET etc.
PG Level Preparation
- Earning a Masters (MBA) degree in airport management also allows graduates to apply for tenure track teaching positions at colleges and universities alongside Senior Position in AAI.
- The eligibility criteria for MBA in airport management is 50% minimum aggregate in BBA from a recognized college by UGC .
- Mostly the admission process for the universities for Airport Management are Personal Interview and a Skill Assessment Test or CET is an entrance examination which is accepted nationally by the reputed universities.
Courses to become an Airport Manager
BBA in Airport Management who are aspiring to join the aviation industry as a Airport Manager. A three year full time undergraduate degree from a reputed college by AIMA.
BBA in Airport Management
- This course specifically the management policies and strategies related to airports. In this three year duration, candidates get internship opportunities which makes them one step ahead to become an Airport Manager.
- Admission to BBA Course is entrance based while merit based in a few cases .
- The various entrance exams for BBA are CET,SAT .
- 60% minimum aggregate in 10+2 is required to pursue BBA.
- The average fee for the course of BBA is 2 LPA.
- BBA in Airport Management teaches about Air Traffic Control, Staff, Finance and Cargo Department.
- CET is a national level exam conducted by Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University.
Top Colleges to Pursue BBA in Airport Management
| Name of the College | Location | Average Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| School of Airlines and Travel Management | Coimbatore | 1 Lacs |
| Grand Scholar Aviation Institute | Bangalore | 2.5 Lacs |
| National College of Aviation | Chennai | 1.10 Lacs |
| Aimfill International Institute | New Delhi | 2.5 Lacs |
| Flying Goose Aviation Academy | Kochi | 1 Lacs |
Other Courses to become an Airport Manager
Other than BBA Degree, many countries accept a Bachelor of Science Degree before pursuing a specialised degree.
BSc in Aviation
- BSc in Aviation is a three year undergraduate degree which will provide theoretical as well as practical knowledge that is required to be a professional.
- Being a specialization degree ,the course will particularly focus on analysing, management and scientific skills.
- The average fee of BSc Aviation is 2Lac (INR) while it may be around £9000 if pursued abroad.
- IELTS Score of 7 (in abroad )is the criteria to get admission in BS.
- The minimum eligibility criteria is a pure Science Stream Background with 55% aggregate and valid score in JEE Mains, BITSAT, COMEDK.
- The best colleges to pursue BSc Aviation in India are NIT ROURKELA, IIT Madras, IIT Bombay.
BTech Avionics
- BTech in Avionics deals with the basics of mechanics of an aeroplane.
- It is a full time undergraduate course of four years.
- It will provide theoretical as well as practical knowledge that is required to be registered as a professional engineer.
- Being a specialization nursing degree, the course will particularly focus on Material Science, Process Modelling and Fluid Mechanics.
- The course also shares diverse areas from creative interaction, embodiment designing to instrumentation, robotics and automation.
- The minimum eligibility criteria is a pure Science Stream Background with 55% aggregate and valid score in JEE Advanced.
Airport Manager: How to Become an Airport Manager Abroad
Few lines about which countries offer this career and difference between India and abroad procedure:
How to Become an Airport Manager in UK
- 10+2 with minimum 65 % like any other BA ,BSc Degree.
- 18 year old students of Indian Nationalities can apply for the BBA programme.
- IELTS score above 6.5 is mandatory for admission in colleges in the UK.
- The average fee is around 18,000 -20,000 GBP.
- Students can apply for financial loans while meritorious students are awarded scholarships.
Top Colleges
| Name of the College | Duration | Admission Procedure | Average Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial College | 3 years | Entrance | 4 Lacs |
| Newcastle University | 3 years | Entrance | 6 Lacs |
| University of Oxford | 3years | Entrance | 5 Lacs |
How to Become an Airport Manager in USA
- A valid 10+2 Score with a minimum of 65% aggregate is the primary requirement for admission.
- SAT score above 1250 and IELTS Score of 6 is accepted in BBA Colleges in the USA.
- Students must complete the Bachelor Degree of 3 years.
- Course fee is around 9000 pound per year on an average.
Top Colleges
| Name of the College | Duration | Admission Procedure | Average Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan | 3 years | Entrance | 4 Lacs |
| Arizona State University | 3 years | Entrance | 5 Lacs |
| University of Wisconsin | 3 years | Entrance | 7 Lacs |
| University of Minnesota | 3 years | Entrance | 6 Lacs |
| University of Illinois | 3 years | Entrance | 5 Lacs |
How to Become an Airport Manager in Canada
- Mathematics and Physics as a Subject in combination requirement with 65% qualifying marks in 10+2.
- IELTS score above 6.5 and TOEFL Score in between 86 to 100 is eligible to pursue Aviation in Canada.
- The annual tuition fees abroad can be in between 8 to 10 Lacs annually in Indian rupees.
Top Colleges
| Name of the College | Duration | Admission Procedure | Average Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| McGill University | 3 years | Entrance Based | 4 Lacs |
| University of Toronto | 3 years | Entrance Based | 5 Lacs |
| Queen's University | 3 years | Entrance Based | 6 Lacs |
How to Become an Airport Manager in Australia
- IELTS score above 6.5 and TOEFL Score in between 82 to 100 is eligible.
- The annual tuition fees abroad can be in between 8 Lacs annually in Indian rupees.
- Scholarship system is available for Indian students with 70% aggregate in 10+2.
Top Colleges
| Name of the College | Duration | Admission Procedure | Average Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian National University | 3 years | Entrance Based | 4 Lacs |
| Monash University | 3 years | Entrance Based | 5.5 Lacs |
| Macquarie University | 3 years | Entrance Based | 6 Lacs |
Benefits of Becoming an Airport Manager
Airport Managers enforce Federal Aviation Administration Rules and supervise daily operations. With the stress, there are lot of benefit as Airport Manager
- Salary: An entry level Airport Manager earns nearly 5-6 LPA while mid and senior earns more than 10 Lac per annum. The lucrative salary can be a reason of choice for some though it cannot be the sole reason. Airport Managers are also given allowances and bonuses from the Airport Authority.
- Job Security: It is indeed one of the unique positions to be an agent for Airlines and Airport. The demand for qualified BBA graduates as Airport Manager is rising thus it has immense job security.
- Positive Impact of the career: Candidates learn as they get shifted to departments. Helping the general public everyday and managing them is itself a rewarding experience.
- Unique Experience: In Airport Management, candidates have to multitask and manage various aspects of daily operations in an Airport which makes it different from other jobs.
Skills Required to Become an Airport Manager
| Strong Intellectual Ability | Presentation Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Analysing Ability |
| Communication Skill | Latest Knowledge of Management Strategies |
| Attention to Detailing | Problem Solving |
Top Recruiters for Airport Managers
The Airport Managers are mainly appointed through the Airport Authority and DGCI. They are also recruited as per their experience in the Domestic and International Airport. The top recruiters are:
| Air India | Qatar Airways |
| Emirates | GMR Group |
| Octamec Group | IGAI |
| Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Ltd. | |
Airport Manager Salary
The Airport Manager has a salary according to their hierarchy and experience. It is also dependent on the department of the airport and the country they are posted at.
Average Annual Salary
| Name of Organisation | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Government | 7 LPA |
| Private | 9 LPA |
Specialisation Wise
| Specialisation | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Airline Operations Manager | 7 Lacs |
| Air Traffic Controller | 10 Lacs |
| Airport Relationship Manager | 6 Lacs |
Experience Wise
| Experience | Salary |
|---|---|
| Fresher or Entry Level | 5,50,000 |
| Mid Level | 8,50,000 |
| Experienced or Senior Level | 11,00,000 |
How to Become an Airport Manager: FAQs
Ques : What is the minimum requirement of a Airport Manager ?
Ans: BBA graduate qualifying the Entrance Exam with minimum 55% aggregate and an experience of one year .
Ques : What is the educational qualification requirement for an Airport Manager ?
Ans : BBA with 60% is the minimum aggregate required to become an Airport Manager.
Ques : What are the employment sectors for an Airport Manager ?
Ans : The employment areas are Domestic Airport, International Airport,IGAI, Air India .
Ques: What are some of the best colleges to study Aviation Management in India ?
Ans: The Grand Scholar Aviation Institute, National College of Aviation, Aimfill International Institute , Flying Goose Aviation Academy are the best colleges in India.
Ques :What is the average annual fee of B- Schools for Aviation Management ?
Ans : The average annual fee of a B-School in India is 2,00,000 INR.
Ques : Name the categories of Airport Manager in India.
Ans : The categories are Air Traffic Controller, Ground Staff Manager, Cargo Manager, Operations Manager.
Ques : What is the average annual salary of an Airport Manager ?
Ans : The average annual salary at entry level is 6,00,000 INR.
Ques :Is there any other requirement to become an Airport Manager ?
Ans : Candidates need to have Certification of Accredited Airport Executive.
Ques : What are the things an aspirant must be aware of before becoming an Airport Manager ?
Ans : Airport Manager learns managerial and leadership skills as the job is itself very rewarding. There is restriction while opting for other industries on saturation.
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