How to Become an Airport Manager: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Top Colleges, Skills, Benefits, Salary

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Ahana Bhaduri

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Airport Managers are responsible for overseeing and managing the operations, safety and overall functioning of an airport. To become an Airport Manager, candidates have to clear class 12 from a recognised board and then pursue a bachelor’s degree in airport management or aviation management or a related field. Candidates also have the option of pursuing a master’s degree for better career prospects.

To become an Airport Manager, candidates can pursue various Undergraduate and Postgraduate Airport Management Courses such as BSc, BBA and MBA in airport/aviation management and business administration are some of the top courses. Candidates can also undertake certification courses to develop skills in a particular aspect of airport management.

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The salary of an Airport Manager is based on experience and expertise. The average annual salary of an Airport Manager in India is INR 7 LPA with the highest salary being INR 20 LPA. The monthly salary of an Airport Manager in India ranges between INR 52,441 to INR 53,744.

How to Become an Airport Manager: Quick Facts

Eligibility Class 12
Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Airport Management, Business Administration or a related field
Starting Salary (INR) INR 3.36 LPA
Average Salary (INR) INR 9 LPA
Highest Salary (INR) INR 20.5 LPA
Top Recruiters IndiGo, Go First, Spicejet, TruJet, Air India

Read: Quick Facts to Become a Pilot

Eligibility to Become an Airport Manager

Candidates aspiring to become Airport Managers are required to meet certain eligibility criteria. While the specific requirements may vary according to the airport or organisation, the general eligibility criteria are as follows

  • Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in airport management, aviation management or a related field.
  • Relevant must experience is required to work as an Airport Manager. The exact amount varies across airports but it is generally 2 years.
  • The Airports Authority of India has set a maximum age limit of 32 years to become an Airport Manager in India.

Qualifications to Become an Airport Manager

Candidates typically need to have the following educational requirements to become an Airport Manager,

  • Candidates are required to have a bachelor’s degree in airport management, aviation management, business administration or a related field from a recognised university. They can also opt for master’s courses for better career possibilities..
  • While not necessary, candidates can pursue certifications like ACI to improve career prospects and employability.
  • Candidates targeting top colleges for airport management education have to qualify for entrance exams. Read: Qualifications Required to Become a Pilot

Steps to Become an Airport Manager

The steps that candidates can follow to become Airport Managers in India are as follows

  • The first step is to earn a relevant degree in airport management, aviation management, business administration or a related field providing candidates with knowledge and skills in different airport management aspects.
  • Candidates should apply for entry-level jobs or internships in airports or related organisations to gain a comprehensive understanding of airport operations.
  • Candidates should build a strong network as it can help them in staying updated with industry trends and open opportunities for career advancements.
  • Candidates should develop the necessary skills, especially in the management field to excel in the role of an Airport Manager.
  • After completing education and developing the necessary skills, candidates should start applying for Airport Manager positions through different resources.

Courses to Become an Airport Manager

There are many courses that can be pursued by candidates to become an Airport Manager. BSc, BBA and MBA in airport management and aviation are some of the top courses available. The details for the most popular courses are mentioned in the following table.

Parameters BBA Aviation BBA Airport Management MBA Airport Management
Eligibility Class 12 Class 12 Bachelor’s degree in related field
Entrance Exams LPUNEST, JUEE CUET, IPU CAT, NPAT, SET CAT, XAT, SNAP, IIFT, CMAT
Top Colleges AIMS Institute, Kristu Jayanti College, HITS, IIKM Business School Grand Scholar Aviation Institute, National College of Aviation, Flying Goose Aviation Academy, SKYBIRD Aviation Fighter Wings Aviation Academy, IIKM Business School, Nehru College of Aeronautics & Applied Sciences, Remo International College of Aviation
Course Fees INR 70,000 - 4 L INR 25,000 - 5 L INR 60,000 - 4 L
Average Salary (INR) INR 4 LPA - 8 LPA INR 3 LPA - 10 LPA INR 2 LPA - 14 LPA
Top Recruiters Air India, India Jet Airways, Alliance Air, Air Costa, Air Heritage, Air Deccan, Air India Charters Ltd, SpiceJet, IndiGo IndiGo, Go First, Spicejet, TruJet, Air India IndiGo, Go First, Spicejet, TruJet, Air India

Entrance Exams

There are many entrance examinations for admission into airport management and related courses. Some of the most famous entrance exams for banking include IPU CET, SET, CAT, XAT and CMAT. The details for some of the top exams are mentioned in the following table.

Entrance Exams Application Deadlines Exam Dates Result Declaration
IPU CET February 1, 2024 – March 31, 2024 April 27 – May 14, 2024 June 2024
CAT August 3, 2024 – September 20, 2024 (Tentative)  November 24, 2024 (Tentative)  To be Announced
XAT July 15 to December 10, 2023 January 7, 2024 January 20, 2024
CMAT Second week of February 2024 – Second week of March 2024 First week of May 2024 Last week of May 2024

Top Airport Management Colleges

There are many colleges in India offering courses in airport management and related courses. IIKM, LPU, Srinivas University, Rayat Bahra University and SAMS are some of the best colleges for airport management education. The details for top colleges are mentioned in the table below.

Name of the Colleges Location Average Fees (INR)
LPU Jalandhar 1.60 L
Srinivas University Mangalore 95,000
Rayat Bahra University Mohali 50,000
Angleblues Aviation and Tourism Academy Kochi 80,000
TMI Academy of Travel, Tourism and Aviation Studies New Delhi 12,000
Remo International College Chennai 1.50 L
NGI Coimbatore 1 L
Jettwings Group of Institutes Guwahati 1.85 L

Skills Required to Become an Airport Manager

Airport Managers are required to possess a combination of technological and managerial skills to execute their tasks efficiently. Some of the top skills are tabulated below.

Strong Leadership Excellent Communication Airport Operations
Financial Management Problem-solving and Decision Making Customer Service
Crisis Management Flexibility and Adaptability Time Management

Benefits of Becoming an Airport Manager

There are numerous benefits to pursuing a career as an Airport Manager. Some of the key benefits include

  • Career Advancement opportunities - with experience, professionals can move up to higher roles in airport management demanding more of their skills and expertise.
  • Competitive Salary - Airport Manager receives competitive salaries that reflect their expertise and experience. Additional benefits and perks are offered by airport authorities.
  • Professional Growth - Airport Managers are exposed to conferences, workshops and training programs that enhance their skills and knowledge in various areas.
  • Job Security - The skills and expertise of Airport Managers will always be in demand, providing a level of job security in the field.
  • Contribution to Economy and Society - Efficient airport operations can attract more airlines, promote tourism, create employment and drive economic prosperity.

Salary of an Airport Manager

The average annual salary of an Airport Manager in India is INR 7 LPA. The average starting salary is INR 0.3 LPA and the highest salary is INR 16.5 LPA. The monthly earning of an Airport Manager in India is between INR 52,441 to INR 53,744. The salaries for different Airport Manager designations are mentioned in the following table.

Designations Average Annual Salary (INR)
Assistant Airport Manager 5 L
Operations Manager 6.9 L
Terminal Manager 9.5 L
Security Manager 8 L
Commercial Manager 9 L

Read: Salary of a Pilot

How to Become an Airport Manager: FAQs

Ques. What qualifications are required to become an Airport Manager in India?

Ans. Candidates are required to have a bachelor’s degree in airport/aviation management or a related field to become an Airport Manager in India.

Ques. How much work experience is necessary to become an Airport Manager?

Ans. The amount of work experience varies depending on the airport and organisation. Generally, a work experience of 2 years is mostly preferred.

Ques. Is there any age limit to becoming an Airport Manager in India?

Ans. The Airports Authority of India has set a maximum age limit of 32 years to become an Airport Manager in India.

Ques. What skills are important to become an Airport Manager?

Ans. Leadership, communication, airport operations, management skills and customer service are some of the top skills that every Airport Manager should have.

Ques. How can I stay updated with the latest regulations and trends in the aviation industry?

Ans. Candidates can subscribe to aviation publications and actively engage in continuous learning and professional development activities to stay updated with the latest aviation trends.

Ques. Can I start my career directly as an Airport Manager?

Ans. It is common to start from entry-level positions and gradually work your way up to an Airport Manager position. Practical experience and specific skills are necessary before taking the role.

Ques. Which cities are paying the most to Airport Managers in India?

Ans. Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, New Delhi and Mumbai are the top-paying cities for Airport Managers in India.

Ques. Which industries are paying the most to Airport Managers in India?

Ans. Aviation, Defence and Aerospace, Financial Services, Telecom and Education are the top-paying industries for Airport Managers in India.

Ques. Name the top recruiters of Airport Managers in India.

Ans. IndiGo, Go First, Spicejet, TruJet and Air India are the top recruiters of Airport Managers in India.

Ques. How much an assistant Airport Manager earns in India?

Ans. The average annual earning of an assistant Airport Manager in India is INR 5 LPA.

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