Aviation grows consistently and often rapidly. Despite the dramatic slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2024 saw record-breaking levels of air passenger demand globally, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This continuous growth indicates that the aviation industry and its regulating government need to ramp up.
For professionals seeking airport management jobs, this means preparing for a market expected to explode. Aspiring airport managers can gain this preparation and pursue a successful career in the field with the online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Aviation Management program from Florida Institute of Technology.
What Is an Airport Manager, and What Do They Do?
An airport manager’s job is to ensure safe and efficient airport operations for users, staff and facilities. This can mean everything from enforcing compliance with airport safety regulations to working with airport tenants for future airport planning efforts.
Since these professionals oversee all facility activities, a typical airport manager job description can include various responsibilities. Some airport manager duties include:
- Developing, implementing and communicating goals, objectives, policies and priorities for airport programs that include airport equipment and aircraft maintenance, grounds security and customer service
- Ensuring safety, compliance and overall maintenance of the airport
- Addressing sensitive customer questions or issues
- Supporting staff on boards and commissions
- Attending and participating in professional group meetings
- Understanding new challenges, trends and innovations in aviation as a field
- Collaborating with city departments and external agencies to negotiate or resolve issues
- Assessing processes for efficiency and effectiveness across workloads, support systems and internal reporting
- Preparing and ensuring airport adherence to the budget
- Supervising and mentoring staff
- Partnering with federal and/or state aviation committees to establish rules and regulations that govern airport business and security
- Upholding quality standards, including on-time schedules, error-free service and proper baggage handling
- Maintaining quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) practices
Airport managers should expect to work in a variety of environments — ranging from an office space to outdoor environments — as part of overseeing all airport practices. In a single day, an airport manager may walk the terminal, interact with passengers in the airport, facilitate a high-profile flight and attend a team meeting. The next day may be entirely different.
What Is the Typical Airport Management Salary?
Airport manager salaries will vary due to specific roles and titles. According to ZipRecruiter data, airport managers made an average annual salary of $61,928 in April 2025, with a typical salary range of $50,000 to $65,000.
A similar managerial position in aviation is that of the airport operations manager. ZipRecruiter reports the average salary for this position to be $72,858 as of April 2025, with top salaries in the six figures.
How to Become an Airport Manager
The size of the airport will dictate specific educational requirements. However, professional airport managers generally need a bachelor’s degree, according to ZipRecruiter. Aspiring managers often pursue bachelor’s degrees in airport or aviation management, business administration, or aeronautical or civil engineering.
Candidates can boost their ability to compete for jobs with the prestige of a degree from an institution designated as a core partner under Federal Aviation Administration’s Center of Excellence Partnership to Enhance General Aviation Safety, Accessibility and Sustainability (PEGASAS). Florida Tech is one such institution.
Experience as an assistant airport manager, pilot certification or other associate airport services experiences can also help equip aspiring airport managers. In many cases, an assistant airport manager must also have a bachelor’s degree.
Professionals should consider what type of experience they want in a first role, as airport size may dictate responsibilities. For example, an entry-level airport manager at a small airport may take on a broader list of duties, whereas a larger airport may have fewer roles but more visible responsibilities.
Soft Skills Required for Airport Managers
To effectively manage an airport, airport managers must be able to work with people across an array of disciplines, from maintenance and security personnel to city officials and airport passengers. They need a blend of compassion and flexibility to navigate the relationship aspect, as well as business acumen and an unflinching ability to make effective decisions. Some specific, valuable soft skills include:
- Interpersonal communication: To inspire teams, build rapport and engage with customers
- Conflict resolution: To properly address conflicts with other stakeholders and customers
- Leadership: To inspire airport staff to meet objectives, maintain a safe environment and innovate
- Organizational skills: To manage and coordinate operational areas
- Creativity: To empower teams to find creative solutions
- Self-motivation: To take initiative, drive decisions and push for results
- Integrity: To act as a role model for staff and to guide interactions and decisions for staff and customers
- Ability to multi-task: To stay on top of multiple concurrent tasks and objectives
For those who possess these soft skills, pursuing a career in aviation management could be an excellent choice. Professionals can further hone these qualities while developing needed field-specific expertise and management skills through the online BA in Aviation Management program from Florida Tech.
Learn more about Florida Tech’s online BA in Aviation Management program.
