Airport chief executive

Description

Airport chief executives lead a group of airport directors who are responsible for all areas of the airport. They envision and make decisions on the strategic direction of the airport based on the information provided by their team of managers.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to airport chief executive:

airport general manager
airport manager
airport CEO
general director of airport
chief operating officer, airport
airport chief operating officer

Minimum qualifications

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as airport chief executive. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Airport chief executive is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Airport chief executive career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to airport chief executive.

airport director
airport planning engineer
airport environment officer
online sales channel manager
legislative drafter

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of airport chief executive. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of airport chief executive with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of airport chief executive.

Airport planning: Know airport planning for different types of aircrafts; use that information to mobilise resources and people in order to handle the aircrafts while they are in the airport.
Airport environmental regulations: The official regulations for environmental standards in airports as dictated by national codes for planning airport facilities and related developments. These include regulatory aspects which govern noise and environmental aspects, sustainability measures, and impacts in relation to land use, emissions, and wildlife hazard mitigation.
Airport lighting equipment: Know various types of lighting systems and airport lighting equipment e.g. low-intensity runway light (LIRL) systems, medium-intensity runway light (MIRL) and high-intensity runway light (HIRL).
Airport electrical systems: Know the different elements that comprise airport electrical systems, such as air navigation equipment, electronic landing aids, radars, and meteorological services. Know the function and operation of each of these elements.
Responsible gambling: The proper behaviour when participating in a gambling game such as how to be aware of others people’s reactions and why people act and react as they do.
Airport safety regulations: Know airport safety regulations and instructions.
Airport operating environment: Thoroughly understand the airport operating environment, the operational characteristics, services, activities, and procedures of a general aviation airport service area, as well as of those of the suppliers, partners, and other airport agencies.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of airport chief executive.

Implement improvement procedures in airport operations: Carry out improvement procedures in airport operations based on an understanding of the needs of an airport. Plan and develop improvement procedures using adequate resources.
Coordinate airport environmental policies: Direct and coordinate airport environmental policies and regulations to mitigate impact of airport activities e.g. noise, reduced air quality, heavy local traffic, or the presence of hazardous materials.
Compile airport certification manuals: Compose and keep up-to-date airport certification manuals; provide exhaustive information on airport facilities, equipment and procedures.
Manage staff: Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Provide assistance to a variety of airport users: Satisfy needs of various types of airport customers; prepare and implement plans to address the request of stakeholders.
Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
Prepare airport annual budget: Prepare annual airport budget, taking into account factors such as fuel supplies, facilities maintenance, and communications.
Monitor airport service performance: Assess the day-to-day service quality delivered by the different departments of an air transport operator to its customers. Short- and long-term summaries of this information provide a vital input to the company.
Report airport security incidents: Compose comprehensive reports on airport security incidents, such as the detaining of unruly travellers, confiscation of luggage items, or damaging of airport property.
Create an airport master plan: Compose a master plan for the long term development of an airport; draw graphic representations of current and future airport features.
Write work-related reports: Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.
Identify airport safety hazards: Spot threats related to security at the airport and apply procedures to counteract them in a quick, safe, and efficient way.
Liaise with colleagues: Liaise with fellow colleagues to ensure common understanding on work related affairs and agree on the necessary compromises the parties might need to face. Negotiate compromises between parties as to ensure that work in general run efficiently towards the achievement of the objectives.
Supervise maintenance activities in airports: Supervise airport staff during operational and maintenance activities such as aeroplane refuelling, flight communications, runway maintenance, etc.
Interact with airport stakeholders: Meet government officials, environmental experts, developers, special interest groups as well as the general public, airport users, and other stakeholders, in order to assess different services, facilities, and the usability of the airport.
Consider economic criteria in decision making: Develop proposals and take appropriate decisions taking into account economic criteria.
Prepare airport emergency plans: Prepare an airport emergency plan that ensures the safe and efficient handling of any emergency situation that may arise.
Show diplomacy: Deal with people in a sensitive and tactful way.
Liaise with managers: Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.
Direct airport subcontractors: Direct the work of consulting architects, engineers and related subcontractors. Establish project schedules and cost estimates, and communicate developments to senior management.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of airport chief executive. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Visual aid systems in airports: Know the correct use of visual aid systems in airports, the aim of which is to facilitate the safe operation of aircraft.
Regulation on unpaved areas of airports: Know and abide by regulation applying to unpaved areas of airports. Understand the security reasons and specifications for maintenance of green areas in airports, such as the height of grass.
Geostationary satellites: Know about geostationary satellites and how they function; moving in the same direction as rotation of the Earth. Understand how they are used for telecommunication and commercial purposes.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of airport chief executive. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Implement airport emergency plans: Design and execute the plan to ensure full implementation of emergency procedures during any crisis or disaster situations. During development of the plan, envision the way crew members should work together during preventative, and actual emergency situations. Manage communications in the airport, prepare evacuation procedures and routes, and restrict access to zones during simulations or real emergency situations.
Ensure functionality of airport lighting systems: Ensure that the airport lighting installations and lighting systems work properly by performing quality checks following the completion of maintenance, and by instructing staff on the diagnosis of flaws or breakdowns in airport lighting system. Keep and follow the airport light maintenance schedule to ensure service standards and perform routine checks according to the type of equipment, its location, and usage.
Manage airport vehicle licences: Manage the licences of vehicles that are permitted to operate inside airports. Know the specifications of these vehicles and ensure they meet licencing requirements.
Apply strategic thinking: Apply generation and effective application of business insights and possible opportunities, in order to achieve competitive business advantage on a long-term basis.
Carry out preventive airport maintenance: Carry out preventive maintenance on airport equipment and facilities in order to maintain safety, regularity, and efficient operation of air traffic.
Conduct airport environmental studies: Prepare and conduct environmental studies, air quality modelling, and land use planning studies.
Apply airport standards and regulations: Know and apply the accepted standards and regulations for European airports. Apply knowledge to enforce airport rules, regulations, and the Airport Safety Plan.
Maintain inventory of airport operations: Keep an up-to-date inventory of all aspects of airport operations.
Manage airport workshops: Manage airport workshops to organise operations and ensure completion of all necessary tasks. Prepare maintenance activities according to the requirements and needs of the airport.
Plan event marketing for promotional campaigns: Design and direct event marketing for promotional campaigns. This involves face-to-face contact between companies and customers at a wide range of events, which engages them in a participatory position and provides them with information about a specific product or service.

ISCO group and title

1120 – Managing directors and chief executives

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Airport chief executive – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022