What Do You Do with an Aviation Management Degree?

An Aviation Management Degree can help you build a career in a trillion-dollar industry that critically impacts the American and global economies. With more than 1,300 airlines operating 31,717 aircraft at 3,759 airports throughout the world, there is a need for qualified managers throughout the aviation industry.

Here are a few examples of what you might be able to do with an Aviation Management degree:

Airport Manager

As an airport manager, you would oversee the operations of an airport. You would adhere to all federal, state, and local regulations, including those set out by the Federal Aviation Administration. You might also be in charge of managing staff, handling security, planning budgets, ensuring proper maintenance and repair of airport equipment, working with other agencies and community leaders, and keeping meticulous records. At a large airport, you might be in charge of a single department. For example, at an international airport, you might manage one terminal. But at a small airfield, you could run the whole show. In addition to your degree, you would need experience in the field.

Airline Manager

Major airlines employ all kinds of managers. Like as an airport manager, you might be responsible for one department, several, or the entire airline—depending upon your skill level, degrees, and experiences. As a general manager in charge of customer service, for example, you would implement and oversee safety measure, optimize on-time performance, handle delays, and work on strategies for improvement initiatives. You would oversee the hiring and training of staff, handle the finances, and make recommendations for continued improvement based on data. Your ability to grow into this role and beyond would require you to be a self-starter who can embrace solving complex problems.

Air Traffic Controller

As an air traffic control, you would be in direct contact with airline pilots to coordinate take-offs and landings. Your primary concern is safety, but you will also direct aircraft efficiently to minimize delays. You would monitor aircraft as they travel through the skies and be the first point of contact in any emergency. You would also be responsible for all ground traffic at the airport. Your degree would give you fundamental knowledge about the airline industry, but you would also need specific FAA training and experience for the role. You also need to be a U.S. citizen, and pass a medical evaluation, drug screening, and background check.

Air Freight and Cargo Manager

As an air freight manager, you could work for a freight company, airline, or airport. Your role would be to coordinate shipments to meet delivery dates in a way that maximizes profitability, while providing excellent customer service. You would oversee operations and negotiate with airlines, carriers, and labor to ensure success throughout the organization. You might also be involved in acquiring new contracts. Overall, you would be in charge of the loading, storing, sorting, and unloading of goods to and from aircraft.

Airport Security Manager

After the horrific events of September 11, 2001, the entire country realized the critical need for airport security. As an airport security manager, this responsibility would be yours. You would manage all aspects of airport security for passengers and cargo, and develop emergency and evacuation procedures. As with other management roles, you might handle an entire airport or a single department or terminal, but the basic duties are the same. You would manage all the security functions, adhering to the Transportation Security Administration. You would oversee the hiring and training of security workers, maintain security equipment, and store all security footage. You would monitor all security activities, identify potential issues, and work to continually improve operations.

Airport Planner

Airport planning involves work with airport authorities, tenants, governmental agencies, aeronautics departments, and members of the community. You would be the person behind the long-term vision, master plans, and airport layout plans. There might be a need for new terminals, runways and parking garages as airport traffic increases over the years. It would be up to you to collect passenger and cargo data and begin to envision the future. You would have direct oversight of various projects, including scope, budgets, schedules, zoning processes, and staff management. This role requires ongoing knowledge about what’s going on in airport construction and the aviation industry, as well as the ability to think creatively and strategically.

There are plenty of other roles you could play with a degree in Aviation Management. A career with the skies begins with solid training on the ground. As any type of aviation manager, you will need technical as well as people skills, the ability to make quick decisions, and to be able to deal with the unexpected.

At National American University, we offer a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management that will help prepare you for a rewarding career in the field. Call 800-209-0182 to speak to a counselor or click learn more to request more information.