Which Aviation Companies Are Hiring?

Although jobs like pilot and flight attendant receive a lot of attention due to their importance and visibility, there are a whole range of other career opportunities available in the world of aviation. As the industry continues to grow, many aviation companies are actively hiring new employees.

According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the aviation industry is planning on supporting close to double the number of passengers and cargo by 2036 compared to today. This means that there will be an increasing demand for aviation-related jobs in the coming years.

Similarly, aviation training technology company CAE estimates that there will be a need for 1.3 million new aviation professionals over the next decade to support the expected growth of the aviation market.

While hiring in some areas of the industry has slowed down—as is the case with pilot hiring—there are many companies that are constantly looking for new workers. Here are some key industry players that are hiring:

When an aircraft arrives at a gate, there is a long list of tasks that need to be completed to deboard the passengers and cargo and prepare it for its next flight. Similarly, there is a lot of work required in order to ensure that an aircraft is ready to depart.

Ground handling refers to the series of tasks required to service an aircraft. It includes passenger-facing services including check-in, gate operations, lounges, and customer service. Ramp services such as baggage and cargo loading, deicing, and aircraft marshaling and pushback are also part of ground handling. Another part is the cleaning and restocking of aircraft cabins.

The way in which ground handling is staffed depends on the airline and location. Some ground handling staff are employed directly by the airline. This is especially common at airline hubs and bases, where carriers are more likely to have their own teams of employees. In other cases, airlines contract the services to third-party ground handling companies who employ ground handling staff.

The largest ground handling companies—such as Dnata, Menzies Aviation, and Swissport – are all currently hiring throughout their respective networks. Airlines will also often have job openings available for various airport positions.

Aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus are major employers in the aviation industry. Not only do they have large teams of factory workers, but they also employ engineers, test pilots, project managers, and many other types of employees. As large companies, they also have corporate staff like media spokespeople, payroll teams, and human resources personnel. The three largest manufacturers of commercial aircraft—Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer—are all actively hiring for roles ranging from aircraft painters to administrative assistants.

These companies do not make all the components that go into an aircraft. There are hundreds of parts suppliers in the industry that provide aircraft components to the manufacturers. Like the aircraft manufacturers, these companies employ engineers, technicians, manufacturing personnel, and corporate staff.

The entities that run each airport—governments, airport authorities, and management companies—all have teams of staff that help manage and run the facility. Airports employ workers for jobs like airfield wildlife management, heavy equipment operations, and terminal maintenance.

Job opportunities with an airport extend beyond operational roles. Airports require planners and engineers, as well as managers and specialists for areas like security and emergency management. Then there are roles that are required at any organization, such as accounting, communications, and human resources.

Because of the large number of people required to run an airport, there is a constant demand for new airport employees. Many airports will therefore have at least a few active job postings open at any given time.

While the airport itself requires employees, most of the employees at an airport work for other employers. One of the most traveler-facing areas of employment at an airport is passenger concessions, which includes restaurants, stores, and other service providers at the airport.

Airport concession workers are typically employed in one of two ways. Firstly, they can be employed by the particular store or company they are working for, such as the ubiquitous Hudson (formerly branded as Hudson News).

Other workers however—particularly those in dining—are employed by food services companies, which will operate multiple or all outlets at an airport. This means those working at an airport Starbucks or Burger King may be employed by a food services company rather than the brand itself. Examples of these companies include HMSHost and SSP America.

As is the case with many retail and food service employers, the companies that run airport concessions often see high turnover. Therefore, they are frequently hiring new employees.  

While airport concessions are for passengers on the ground, aircraft catering operations prepare food that travelers consume once they are in the air. Jobs in aircraft catering include operations and delivery staff, management and corporate personnel, and food preparation roles—ranging from line cooks to executive chefs.

Some airlines have their own catering facilities at their hubs and bases, but many flights are catered through contracted catering companies. These employers are often on the hunt for new employees across their network of catering facilities. Examples of airline caterers that are hiring include Gate Gourmet and LSG Sky Chefs.

Aircraft maintenance technicians (AMTs)—also known as aircraft mechanics or aircraft maintenance engineers—play a key role in keeping aircraft safe and ready for flight. They work tirelessly around the clock to perform both routine and unscheduled maintenance.

While most airlines employ teams of AMTs, there are also many opportunities to work for other employers including government bodies, business and charter operators, and maintenance contractors. Many employers are currently seeking qualified aircraft mechanics.

In addition to the pilots, flight attendants, and airport staff that travelers see during their journey, airlines also employ many different types of employees behind the scenes. For example, airlines have operations centers that serve as 24/7 hubs for each carrier’s flight operations. Teams of workers, including dispatchers, crew schedulers, and load planners coordinate flights around the company’s network. As previously mentioned, airlines may also have their own mechanics and catering staff.

Airlines also have corporate offices that include employees that would be found at any large company—marketing, sales, finance, human resources, procurement, information technology (IT), and more. But there are also airline-specific corporate jobs, such as network planning and revenue management. Carriers also have teams of staff working on everything from purchasing new aircraft to deciding what snacks to serve on board.

Most airlines are actively hiring new employees, at least in some departments. Given the depth of skills required to keep an airline running, airlines are constantly seeking workers to fill their ranks.

How do I get into the aviation industry?

Many of the jobs described are open to the public and require no prior aviation experience. Others require transferrable skills or qualifications, such as a college degree or workplace experience. At many companies, there is room for internal movement and career development after you get hired.

What are the highest paying jobs in the aviation industry?

Pilots, engineers, and air traffic controllers (ATCs) are some of the best-paid workers in the aviation industry. However, the highest paying jobs tend to be at the top of the corporate ladder.