Consultant - Aviation Planning

WSP in the Middle East; Dubai; On-site; AED 223,000 - 502,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the Middle East is seeking an Airport Planning Consultant to contribute to concept-level airport planning, operational design and project support for major aviation schemes in the region. You will help develop efficient masterplans, regulatory-aligned concepts and performance-focused solutions that enhance passenger experience and sustainability.

The role involves working with the Middle East Aviation team on delivery activities, ConOps development, capacity and LoS analyses, and

Qualifications

• Degree in Aviation Planning, Transport/Civil/Industrial Engineering, Architecture, Aviation Management or related discipline.
• 3–5 years of experience in airport planning, capacity assessment, forecasting, simulation modelling or masterplanning.
• Proficiency in analytical modelling, scenario development and data interpretation, with strong Excel skills and familiarity with AutoCAD/GIS.
• Excellent communication skills to present findings to clients and stakeholders.
• Experience collaborating with airport operators, regulators and cross-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to concept-level airport planning and ConOps development.
• Assist in capacity analyses, traffic profiles, flight schedules and KPIs.
• Support LoS assessments for terminal, airside, landside and support facilities.
• Help develop multi-scenario demand forecasts for passengers, cargo and general aviation.
• Build and run simulations (CAST, AirTOP, AviPlan) and translate results into insights.
• Document inputs, assumptions and workflows for traceability.
• Contribute to masterplanning and long-term planning studies.
• Define functional and spatial requirements in line with demand and standards.
• Assist in evaluating options, phasing and expansion triggers.

Skills

Analytical modelling

Excel skills

AutoCAD/GIS familiarity

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree in Aviation Planning or related

Tools

CAST

AirTOP

AviPlan

AutoCAD

GIS

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking Airport Planning Consultant to contribute to concept-level airport planning, functional spatial design and design-focused project support across major aviation projects. The successful candidate will support the development of future airport designs by contributing to the delivery of high‑quality planning and operational solutions that improve efficiency, passenger experience and sustainability The Consultant will work as a valued member of the Middle East Aviation team, assisting in project delivery activities and contributing to the preparation of innovative and efficient planning and design outputs.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of various project workstreams, with an initial focus on contributing to the development of the Concept of Operations for DWC Phase2.
• Assist in conducting analytical assessments of airport operations, including traffic profiles, flight schedules, dwell times and operational KPIs.
• Contribute to the preparation and interpretation of capacity and Level of Service (LoS) assessments for terminal, airside, apron, landside and support facilities.
• Support the development of multi‑scenario demand forecasts for passengers, aircraft, cargo and general aviation operations.
• Assist in building and running simulation models (CAST, AirTOP, AviPlan or equivalent) to assess flow performance, system efficiency and operational resilience.
• Translate modelling outputs into clear insights and planning inputs under the guidance of senior team members.
• Ensure data inputs, modelling assumptions and analysis workflows are documented, validated and traceable.
• Contribute analytical inputs to airport masterplanning activities and long‑term strategic studies.
• Support the definition of functional and spatial requirements for terminals, airside, landside and support facilities in line with demand, ConOps principles and regulatory standards.
• Assist in evaluating planning options, phasing strategies, expansion triggers and performance trade‑offs.

Design-Focused Project Support & Tender Preparation

• Support proposal preparation by contributing planning methodologies, scopes, level-of-effort estimates, case studies and modelling insights that strengthen aviation bids.
• Contribute to enhancing WSP’s internal planning practice by refining templates, improving analytical workflows and sharing practical lessons learned from projects.

Qualifications

• A degree in Aviation Planning, Transport/Civil/Industrial Engineering, Architecture, Aviation Management or a related discipline.
• 3–5 years of experience in airport planning, capacity assessment, forecasting, simulation modelling or airport masterplanning.
• Proficiency in analytical modelling, scenario development and data interpretation, supported by strong Excel skills and familiarity with AutoCAD/GIS.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present technical findings to clients, multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders.
• Experience working with airport operators, airlines, regulators and cross-disciplinary design teams, demonstrating balanced professional judgment.

Technical & Industry Knowledge

• Working knowledge of ICAO, FAA, IATA and aviation regulatory requirements.
• Experience with terminal planning concepts, passenger flow optimization, and airport simulation modelling.
• Good understanding of digital tools including: AutoCAD, BIM, Revit, GIS, AviPLAN, CAST, and other airport design tools.
• Hands‑on experience with airport simulation and analytical tools (e.g., CAST, AirTOP, AviPlan) and the ability to convert model outputs into clear planning insights.
• Ability to assist in conducting and interpreting capacity and Level of Service (LoS) assessments across terminal, airside, apron, landside and support facilities.

Regional & Sector Expertise

• Familiarity with the Middle East aviation sector and regional regulatory requirements

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