Aviation can be a way to connect with the SKY, Have you also dreamed of working in aviation? You can start your career in Aviation Management in the various fields it offers. This blog is right for you, and till the end of this article, you’ll know the roadmap for starting in Aviation Management and reaching your destination.
Aviation management focuses on the supervision and direction of all the operations within the aviation sector, ranging from the management of line operations of airline companies, management of airports, maintenance of aircraft, and the supervision of safety measures. This field comprises many tasks that are generally geared towards facilitating the movement of people and goods through the use of airplanes.
Aviation managers also provide effective solutions to the various issues present in the operational environment of the industry, including; compliance with laws, monetary issues, and technological issues, among others.
What is Aviation Management?
Aviation management is a sub-specialization area of commerce that deals with all business and operations related to aviation. It covers a large number of tasks targeting the smooth and safe operation of airports, airlines, and other subjects of aviation activities.
This involves the following operations:
Operational Oversight: Aviation managers are required to lead the operations of the airlines and airports to run efficiently. This entails the planning and control of aircraft movement, the management of ground activities, the maintenance of aircraft, and time management, among others.
Safety and Security – The safety and security of the passengers, crew, and cargo is always a priority. Aviation managers are responsible for the safety measures in organizations, adhere to national and international safety requirements, and inspect organizations.
Customer Service Management: Aviation managers concentrate on the improvement of factors that have a direct impact on passengers. This involves overseeing all the sections of customer service, responding to passengers’ grievances, and providing good service delivery from the ticketing baggage to the baggage claim section.
Financial Management: That is why it is necessary to understand how the financial aspect should be effectively managed in aviation operations. These include Budgeting and financial planning, revenue and sales management, Cost and expense control for effective profitability, and business sustenance.
Regulatory Compliance: Aviation managers make sure that all the business’s activities follow the Aviation laws as well as the guidelines passed by organizations such as FAA as well as IATA.
Strategic Planning: Strategy formulation for long-term growth and learning is among the key accountabilities. This includes the expansion of operational routes, capital investment in other technologies, structures, and market research.
Educational Pathways
Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Management: A bachelor’s degree in aviation management equips a student with basic competencies that enable him/her to undertake jobs at the junior level within the aviation sector. This usually includes aspects related to airport management, airline management, legal systems within aviation, among others, safety measures, and air traffic control among others.
Graduates create and maintain a strong bond between them and aviation organizations due to their ability to master the technical components of aviation and managerial skills.
Here, you have the option of doing a BSc or BBA in Aviation Management.
Master’s Degree in Aviation Management: Given this understanding, further education is still needed for knowledge enhancement and leadership positions; this calls for a master’s degree in aviation management.
The armory of this degree is the sharpened focus on strategic planning, superior aviation regulation study, financial management, and organizational theory. To support the practical use of skills that can be applied to the field, programs contain the case, research, and internship.
Here, you have the option of doing an MBA or MSc in Aviation Management.
Other industry certifications:
- IATA Certifications
- FAA Certifications
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)·
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
Essential Skills and Competencies
- Leadership and management skills
- Technical knowledge of aviation operations
- Communication and interpersonal skills·
- Problem-solving and decision-making abilities
How to Start a Career in Aviation Management
After completing your studies, you can join the Aviation world. aviation management job roles you may grab are as follows:
Airport Manager:
An Airport Manager is in charge of the management of an airport and its general functioning. Among those are managing human resources, reconciling the business with aviation legislation, organizing relations with suppliers, airlines, and other associates, and maintaining and securing aviation equipment. They help in managing the airport effectively and create a good perception for passengers.
Airline Operations Manager:
An Airline Operations Manager is responsible for administrative functions concerning the operations of an airline. They include things like, scheduling of flight, dealing with services on the ground, aircraft resources dispositions and operational effectiveness. They have direct interaction with flight crews, maintenance personnel/teams, and air traffic control centers.
Aviation Consultant:
An Aviation Consultant is an individual who can be hired by an aviation firm to offer different services including analysis on different issues affecting their business, methods of enhancing efficiency, legal issues, and safety measures within a firm, advancement plans among others.
They have a project-oriented approach and actively ensure that the company introduces effective standards and the usage of advanced concepts.
Air Traffic Controller:
An Air Traffic Controller is a professional who regulates the traffic of aircraft within a specified airspace managed by him or her. They offer guidance to pilots on how to fly and their procedures to take off, during the flight, and embark on the landing process. and they supervise the movement of the planes and make sure that adequate space is provided between planes. This position demands fast decisions as well as effective communication with other people.
Aviation Safety Manager:
An Aviation Safety Manager has the responsibility of designing, implementing as well as managing safety in an organization that deals with aviation. Some of the functions may include; carrying out safety checks, investigating an accident, enforcing safety standards, and encouraging compliance with measures by employees. They are important when it comes to reducing the chances of an incident and improving general safety.
Climbing the Career Ladder
The following are other feasible and desirable courses; Master’s in Aviation Management or similar fields. Participate in workshops and specialized courses that would help you update your knowledge and improve your skills.
Gaining Leadership Experience
Strive for leadership positions in individual projects and groups. Take on responsibilities that would expose one to fresh and complex situations that would show one as a good manager and leader.
How Relevant Are Professional Certificates and Membership?
Get the licensed certifications (e.g., IATA, FAA). Network and inform oneself about trends that go with the industry by joining professional bodies like AAAE and ACI.
Adhering to the Trends of the Market
The Significance of Out-Competing the Competitors, and Keeping Up to Date with the Current Developments in the Industry
Periodically, industry journals, the latest developments in aviation, and again, some discussion forums were also used. Industry Conferences and Seminars as/sources of Information and Knowledge.
Go to the conferences, seminars, and workshops that are in its related industry. Such meetings are useful to get acquainted with specialists in the industry, listen to lectures and conversations, and get new ideas.
Conclusion:
There is a good scope if you’re planning to have a career in Aviation Management so you have a roadmap that you can follow, which is to join a professional degree course in Aviation Management and then gain the extra certifications to increase your credibility.
Once you are in the game then you have some options to choose from for what field you want to join to continue your Aviation Management Journey.
Keep yourself up to date with industrial demand and new trends so that you can develop the required skillsets to keep yourself in the industry.
