Expert: David A. NewMyer - 11/10/2011

Question
Hi, i just wanna ask you about the career prospect in aviation management. thank you

Answer
Faiz:

The career prospects in aviation management are good.  They are dependent on how the aviation industry is doing in general and, also, if there are signs of future growth.  You would want to look for such things as:

1.  Are the airlines in Malaysia adding aircraft to their fleets from Airbus and Boeing (or other airline aircraft manufacturers)?

2.  Are airlines adding flights to more destinations around Asia and the Pacific Rim?

3.  Are airports expanding their terminals and extending their runways?

4.  Are individual companies buying their own aircraft for corporate use (these aircraft have to flown, maintained and managed)

If the answer to all or most of the above questions is yes, then, the aviation management field is likely expanding, or about to expand.

Examples of aviation management-oriented jobs include:

1.  Airport operations manager;

2.  Airport marketing director;

3.  Airport ground transportation manager;

4.  Airport terminal manager;

5.  Airline customer service manager;

6.  Airline fleet planning specialist;

7.  Airline maintenance manager (will also likely require a technical maintenance background);

8.  Airline sales associate;

9.  Airline marketing manager;

10.  Airline ramp supervisor;

These are just a few of the aviation management positions that are available out there.  The key thing to keep in mind is that most aviation managers today do not come out of school, they are promoted into their positions with work experience at an airport or airline, but, with little formal schooling in aviation management.  The advantage that an aviation managment degree would give someone is to compete for jobs where most of the other applicants have little or no formal education in aviation managment topics.

I hope that this helps  you understand some of the career prospects in aviation management.

Best wishes,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale