Airport Operations Manager

Flair Airlines; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited travel perks

Pension plan

Job summary

Flair Airlines is seeking an experienced Airport Operations Manager for our Vancouver, BC office. You will lead the day-to-day airport operations, oversee frontline teams and contracted providers, and ensure on-time performance, regulatory compliance, and a safe customer experience.

Key responsibilities include coordinating staffing and resources, managing irregular operations, and reporting to the General Manager of Airport Operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Transportation, or related discipline is preferred.
• 3–5 years progressive airport/airline operations experience.
• 2+ years of leadership or supervisory experience in safety-sensitive, customer-focused ops.
• Experience leading frontline teams, coordinating daily operations, and handling IROPs.
• Strong knowledge of airline ops, airport processes, SMS, CARs, and regs.
• Experience investigating ops issues and documenting incidents is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead safe, efficient, compliant airport operations during the shift.
• Provide coaching and support to frontline staff and providers.
• Coordinate staffing, equipment, facilities, and resources for flight ops.
• Communicate across teams, airport authorities, and contractors.
• Monitor safety, on-time performance, baggage handling, and service quality.
• Lead station response during irregular operations and disruptions.
• Make real-time decisions balancing safety and customer service.
• Oversee contracted providers to meet contractual safety standards.
• Ensure compliance with Transport Canada, CARs, SMS, and company policies.
• Prepare shift reports, incident docs, and performance updates.

Skills

Leadership

Decision making

IROP recovery

Communication

Coordination

Analytical thinking

SMS & CARs knowledge

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree (Aviation Management / Business Administration / Operations Management / Transportation)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Airport ops software

Operational reporting systems

Job description

Take Your Career to New Heights with Flair Airlines

We’re here to make air travel affordable for everyone, and we’re looking for talented individuals who want to help us continue changing the industry for the better. As Canada’s most reliable airline, we're all about offering real value. As we continue to expand our network, increase flight frequencies, and introduce more services, we’re looking for passionate team members to help us in our mission to make air travel accessible for everyone. We know who we are, and we’re confident in our approach.

Your Team

Join Flair’s Airport Operations team, where frontline leadership and real-time decision-making support safe, reliable, and efficient operations. Reporting to the General Manager, Airport Operations, the Airport Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of airport operations, overseeing employees and contracted service providers to support on-time performance, regulatory compliance, operational reliability, and the customer experience.

The Airport Operations Manager coordinates real-time operational activities, responds to irregular operations (IROPs), resolves operational issues, and ensures resources are effectively deployed based on operational needs. The role makes timely decisions to maintain operational continuity and ensures airport activities are carried out in accordance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and established procedures.

This role is an on-site position based at our Vancouver, BC office.

A Day In The Life

• Lead the safe, efficient, and compliant delivery of airport operations during the assigned shift, ensuring operational objectives, service standards, and regulatory requirements are achieved.
• Provide day-to-day leadership, direction, coaching, and support to frontline employees and contracted service providers, promoting a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and customer service.
• Coordinate daily operational activities, ensuring appropriate staffing, equipment, facilities, and operational resources are available to support safe and reliable flight operations.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination between operational teams, internal stakeholders, airport authorities, and contracted service providers throughout the assigned shift to support safe, efficient, and timely airport operations.
• Monitor operational performance throughout the assigned shift, including safety, on-time performance, baggage performance, customer service, and operational reliability, taking timely action to resolve issues and minimize operational disruption.
• Lead the station response during irregular operations (IROPs), delays, cancellations, diversions, and other operational disruptions, coordinating recovery efforts with internal and external stakeholders.
• Make real-time operational decisions to ensure the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of the station while balancing operational priorities and customer service requirements.
• Oversee the day-to-day performance of contracted service providers, ensuring services are delivered in accordance with contractual obligations, safety standards, and operational expectations.
• Ensure airport operations are conducted in accordance with Transport Canada regulations, Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), company policies, Safety Management System (SMS) requirements, security standards, and all applicable legislative requirements.
• Conduct operational inspections and monitor compliance with safety, security, and operational procedures, addressing deficiencies and escalating concerns as required.
• Investigate operational issues, safety events, customer service concerns, and operational irregularities, ensuring appropriate corrective actions are implemented, and reporting requirements are completed.
• Collaborate with SOCC, Flight Operations, In-Flight, Maintenance, Customer Experience, Safety, Security, airport authorities, and contracted service providers to support safe and efficient flight operations.
• Prepare operational reports, shift summaries, incident documentation, and performance updates for the General Manager, Airport Operations, ensuring effective communication and continuity between operational shifts.
• Support the implementation of operational initiatives, process improvements, and organizational changes within the station.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

What You Bring To The Role

The preferred candidate should exemplify Flair's core values: honesty, efficiency, accountability, and respect, while demonstrating success in previous roles. Additionally, we are seeking individuals who possess:

• Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Transportation, or a related discipline is preferred.
• Experience:
  • Minimum 3-5 years of progressive experience in airport operations, airline operations, or a related operational environment.
  • Minimum 2 years of leadership or supervisory experience in a safety-sensitive, customer-focused operational environment.
  • Experience leading frontline operational teams and coordinating daily airport or airline operations.
  • Experience managing operational disruptions, irregular operations (IROPs), and time-sensitive operational issues.
  • Experience working with contracted service providers and coordinating operational activities with multiple stakeholders.
  • Strong knowledge of airline operations, airport processes, Safety Management Systems (SMS), Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), and applicable regulatory requirements.
  • Experience in investigating operational issues, completing incident documentation, and implementing corrective actions is an asset
• Skills & Abilities:
  • Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate, coach, and support frontline employees and contracted service providers.
  • Strong operational decision-making skills, with the ability to assess situations quickly, prioritize competing demands, and make sound decisions under pressure.
  • Proven ability to lead operational recovery during irregular operations (IROPs), delays, cancellations, and other operational disruptions.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across operational teams and external partners.
  • Strong organizational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced operational environment.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify operational issues and implement practical solutions.
  • Thorough knowledge of airline operations, airport operations, Transport Canada regulations, Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), Safety Management Systems (SMS), and applicable company policies and procedures.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams), with experience using operational reporting systems and airport operational software.
  • High level of professionalism, integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to safety, operational excellence, and customer service.
• Requirements:
  • Clear criminal record check and satisfactory employment references.
  • Must be legally eligible to work in Canada without restriction.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

At Flair, we prioritize our teams by cultivating a supportive, collaborative work environment filled with opportunities for growth. Investing in our people is at the heart of what we do because your success fuels our collective achievements. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace where leaders thrive, innovation flourishes, and every team member feels valued and empowered.

Benefits

From the moment you join us, you’ll have access to a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being—because when you’re at your best, so are we. This benefits package includes:

• Comprehensive Salary– A salary that reflects your experience and contributions.
• Comprehensive Benefits – Competitive medical and dental coverage, disability insurance, life insurance, and an employee & family assistance program.
• Retirement Savings – A pension plan with employer-matched contributions.
• Unlimited Travel Perks – Enjoy free and discounted flights for you and your travel companions.

At Flair, we’re committed to building an inclusive, equal, and accessible workplace that welcomes diverse talent. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. If you need accommodation during the selection process, just let us know.

We thank all applicants for their interest in Flair; however, only those selected to continue in the process will be contacted.

Website: flyflair.com