Airports

The airport sector has been growing for the past 15 years to cope with increased demand, and this is set to continue so there’s a great variety of work available. New airports are rare, mainly due to space limitations, but upgrades and modifications to existing airports are common.

Engineers may tweak a system to improve its performance, for instance by upgrading a runway, while seeking to minimise disruption to the airport. Larger projects could involve the planning and design of new runways and terminal buildings.

Starting out: graduate jobs in airport engineering

Airport projects can encompass many different areas: air-side infrastructure such as runways, taxiways, aircraft parking and aprons; air-side support services such as maintenance, repair and cargo facilities; and the many different aspects of terminal building design. Demand forecasting is a key component of airport planning as it determines the design parameters.

You don't need previous aviation experience but you do need to have great spatial awareness.

Engineers from almost any discipline can enter, and applicants need not have any prior aviation experience. Graduates will join a team and learn the basic concepts of airport engineering so they can apply their skills to one field. One of the unique aspects of airport work is that it can lead to a specialisation within one particular area, such as baggage handling.

Technology creates work for airport engineers

Technology is constantly developing. The introduction of the Airbus A380, for example, has forced large airports to redesign to accommodate the spatial demands. The much publicised Terminal 5 at London Heathrow has now been completed, and discussions are under way for the implementation of a new runway at Stansted. Airports are a person’s first impression of a country, so events such as Commonwealth or Olympic Games can influence the programming of proposed major airport developments.

The essentials for careers in airport engineering

• A degree in engineering or a relevant subject.
• A strong interest in airports.
• Spatial awareness and conceptualisation.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.

Travelling is just the job

The beauty of airports is that each one is unique and has its own agenda and priorities. You can link projects but each new airport project brings its own challenges. It’s a pretty glamorous field that includes travel as part of the job, but you don’t always get to see much of the places you work in.

Paul Martin, MCILT MIHT, is principal aviation planner at  Mott MacDonald. He has qualifications in geography, transport planning, and airport planning and management, and has 11 years’ experience in this sector.