Aerodrome Operations Officer

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Bonus program

Career advancement

Retirement fund

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an experienced Aerodrome Operations Officer to oversee Durban airport operations, ensuring safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance in a hybrid work setup balancing on-site duties with remote planning.

The role requires strong leadership, ICAO knowledge, and airside safety expertise to coordinate with airlines, ATC, and ground handlers while driving continuous improvement and incident resolution.

Qualifications

• Aviation-related degree or diploma, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in airport or aerodrome operations.
• Sound knowledge of ICAO Annex 14, SA-CATS, and relevant aviation regulations.
• Experience in airport emergency planning and management.
• Strong understanding of airside safety management systems.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and leadership skills.
• Proficiency in airport operations software and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and manage airside operations, including aircraft movements, parking, and taxiing.
• Coordinate with air traffic control, airlines, and ground handling agents to ensure smooth airport operations.
• Develop, implement, and enforce aerodrome operating procedures and safety regulations.
• Conduct regular inspections of airside infrastructure, including runways, taxiways, and aprons.
• Manage aerodrome licensing and certification requirements, ensuring compliance with national and international aviation standards.
• Develop and update emergency response plans and procedures, coordinating drills and training.
• Oversee runway and apron safety management, including debris removal and hazard identification.
• Prepare operational reports, analyze performance data, and recommend improvements.
• Respond to operational disruptions and manage incident resolution effectively.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Coordination

Decision making under pressure

Education

Aviation-related degree or diploma

Tools

Airport operations software

Microsoft Office

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major airport operator in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal , is seeking an experienced Aerodrome Operations Officer to oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of the airport. This critical role involves ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant functioning of all aerodrome activities, including airside operations, ground handling coordination, and emergency response planning. You will work closely with airlines, air traffic control, ground handlers, and other airport stakeholders to maintain optimal operational flow and safety standards. This position requires a blend of operational expertise, strong leadership skills, and the ability to react effectively under pressure. The role offers a hybrid work model, balancing on-site operational responsibilities with remote planning and administrative tasks. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a vital piece of South Africa's infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and manage all airside operations, including aircraft movements, parking, and taxiing.
• Coordinate with air traffic control, airlines, and ground handling agents to ensure smooth airport operations.
• Develop, implement, and enforce aerodrome operating procedures and safety regulations.
• Conduct regular inspections of airside infrastructure, including runways, taxiways, and aprons.
• Manage aerodrome licensing and certification requirements, ensuring compliance with national and international aviation standards.
• Develop and update emergency response plans and procedures, coordinating drills and training.
• Oversee runway and apron safety management, including debris removal and hazard identification.
• Prepare operational reports, analyze performance data, and recommend improvements.
• Respond to operational disruptions and manage incident resolution effectively.

Requirements

• Aviation-related degree or diploma, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in airport or aerodrome operations.
• Sound knowledge of ICAO Annex 14, SA-CATS, and relevant aviation regulations.
• Experience in airport emergency planning and management.
• Strong understanding of airside safety management systems.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and make sound decisions in critical situations.
• Proficiency in relevant airport operations software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Must be willing to work flexible hours and be available for on-call duties.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to Durban, KwaZulu-Natal .

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Performance-based bonuses.
• Opportunities for career advancement within the airport group.
• Retirement fund benefits.
• Access to employee assistance programs.