Airport manager job duties and responsibilities


An Airport Manager administers and supervises the business of the airport, including budgeting, terminal operations, contract and grant administration, marketing and promotion, public information, ground transportation, and other matters of concern pertaining to the safe and efficient operation of the facility. Whether large or small, there are a huge variety of functions at an airport besides planes taking off and landing. The Airport Manager conducts market analyses to determine who is using the airport and who could be using it, whether it is for passenger or cargo service.

After identifying the air service needs of the community, a marketing strategy is developed and implemented to obtain the required service, whether it is trying to bring in a new airline, adding a new destination, or implementing additional cargo service. Once that service is obtained, the Airport Manager, in conjunction with the airline, promotes the new service to the public, travel agents, the business community, and others within the air transportation industry, either through the inhouse public relations and marketing offices or through outside advertising and public relations firms.

The Airport Manager oversees all responses to written and verbal requests from the media and the public and is the official spokesperson for the airport (even if there is a public relations office). This may include speeches at public and private forums and dealing with any of the relevant issues on aviation and the airport. An airport almost always suffers from a NIMBY (not in my backyard) complex, so the manager must deal with neighbors who complain about noise, traffic, pollution, and other matters.

Any airport will have a number of leases, which may include car rental agencies; airlines for gate space; taxis, limousines, and courtesy shuttles; hotels; and food and other retail concessions. The Airport Manager coordinates the preparation and negotiation of these leases and agreements and makes sure all leasers comply with the contract and airport rules and regulations.

If an outside contractor has to be hired to complete airport maintenance—including expansion, renovations, or repairs—the Airport Manager develops the bid specifications (sometimes in conjunction with airport consultants and engineers) for contracts, handles negotiations, and works to assure all contracts are completed within the negotiated terms. The Airport Manager identifies sources of grant funding and meets with federal and state agencies to develop grant programs for the continued development and maintenance of the airport.

Safety is a primary concern of any airport, so the manager must oversee the proper operation of the airport facilities, storage areas, and public and private spaces to ensure compliance with regulations. An emergency plan must be developed, practiced, and implemented for times when a crisis might arise. An airport must comply with many federal, state, and local regulatory requirements, so the manager must have a thorough knowledge of these requirements and must ensure that the airport complies with them. While all of these duties come under the purview of the Airport Manager, they may be assigned to appropriate personnel, so the manager must interview, hire, and supervise qualified people to run these operations.

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This article was sent to us by: Daniel Thersen at 09292010

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