Airport manager responsibilities vary depending on whether the airport is a large international hub or a small community hub. This individual serves as a point of contact for various government agencies and may be in charge of developing and maintaining an airport budget. He or she may be in charge of aircraft and facility maintenance or hire a maintenance supervisor to do so. This person may be the only one authorized to contact the media in the event of an emergency.
One of the most important duties of an airport manager is to ensure that the facility follows local aviation regulations. This may necessitate collaboration with aviation or workplace safety agencies. Furthermore, the manager may be required to submit reports to these agencies or to accompany inspectors on tours of the facility. If flaws are discovered, one of the airport manager’s responsibilities may be to devise a plan of action for addressing them, and then to follow up to ensure that the plan is carried out.
Financial planning may also be included in an airport manager’s job description. As the chief executive of an airport, the manager must frequently approve development plans, leasing contracts, and the purchase of new equipment. Overseeing the accounting department, which includes payroll and maintenance budgets, may also be part of the job description.
Because aircraft require routine maintenance and cleaning to remain operational, an airport manager may be in charge of ensuring that these tasks are completed. If the facility is private, the manager may also be in charge of these duties. In a small commercial airport, this person might be in charge of one or two maintenance workers who are in charge of this. In a large international airport, a maintenance supervisor may be in charge of a team of workers, and that supervisor may report directly to this executive.
An airport manager may frequently speak to television or newspaper outlets about major events. This could happen in the event of an airline crash or a national security breach. Other times, the manager may be required to issue weather-related cancellations or delays. He or she may also keep the public informed about new developments at the airport, such as when an expansion project is in the works. This could be accomplished by holding a press conference at the facility or conducting a phone interview with reporters to discuss the situation as it develops.