According to the Air Transport Action Group’s Aviation: Benefits Beyond Borders 2024 report, aviation supports 86.5 million jobs globally. Specifically, 6.5 million people are employed at airports worldwide, encompassing roles in airport management, operations, maintenance, and various on-site services.
However, labor shortages continue to affect the aviation industry even after the pandemic. Key factors include demographic shift, evolving expectations of the workforce, environmental concerns, job security issues, and cultural influences. These changes have altered the perceptions of aviation careers, posing challenges in attracting and retaining talent.
While roles such as pilots, air traffic controllers, and engineers are well-known and sought after, they require extensive training and investment. Equally important—but often under-recognized—are roles like check-in agents, gate agents, baggage handlers, ground operations staff, and airfield maintenance personnel. These positions vary in training and compensation but are vital to airport operations and deserve greater visibility and recognition.
What ACI World's Workforce experts provide
How we support the industry
Global Aviation and Aerospace Skills Taskforce (GAAST)
The Global Aviation and Aerospace Skills Taskforce (GAAST) is a pioneering initiative focused on shaping the future aviation and aerospace workforce. In response to pandemic-related job losses and rapid technological change, GAAST brings together industry, government, and education partners to drive coordinated, forward-looking workforce development.
Key Workforce Resources
Airport Workforce Management
The Workforce Management at Airports Analytical Report 2025, developed by ACI World with ICF, examines how airports worldwide are rethinking talent attraction and retention in a rapidly changing environment. Based on insights from 72 airports and 19 case studies, it provides new data on workforce composition and highlights innovative approaches to hiring, retention, workplace flexibility, and scalable training to help build a people-first aviation workforce.
ACI World-ASA Building a Resilient Aviation Workforce
This joint publication by ACI World and the Aviation Services Association (ASA) offers practical guidance to help airports and ground handlers attract and retain a resilient workforce. It outlines strategies to improve working conditions, attract diverse talent, and enhance communication, engagement, and reward systems—ensuring airports remain hubs of opportunity.
Evolution of the Airport Workforce
The Evolution of the Airport Workforce White Paper explores the trends and factors behind current workforce shortages and their potential impact on long-term traffic growth. While intensified by the pandemic, many challenges persist. The paper offers key recommendations to help airport operators, stakeholders, and governments build a future-ready workforce that supports the sustainability and resilience of the aviation sector.
Employee Survey for Customer Experience
Employee Survey for Customer Experience provides comprehensive data to help airports understand and measure employee and stakeholder motivations, engagement, and commitment. The survey complements our customer surveys and identifies priority improvement areas to foster a positive customer experience culture among airport employees and stakeholders.
Global Airport Training Courses and Programs
ACI Global Training is the world’s leading provider of airport management and operations education.
We offer in-person and online courses and programs on aviation standards and best practices led by international experts and industry leaders.
Our programs range from executive leadership, professional accreditation, and subject-matter competency—covering all areas of the airport business.
Workforce Publications
Explore ACI World publications to access expert handbooks, in-depth reports and datasets, as well as comprehensive guidance. Empower your airport with global insights across all areas of the airport business, including economics, sustainability, customer experience, and operations.
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2025 Airport Workforce Management Report -
The Evolution of the Airport Workforce White Paper
Additional Resources on Workforce
ACI World Insights
Access the latest expert opinions, global tends and data-driven insights on the ACI World Insights blog. Stay informed to make strategic decisions that drive innovation in the airport and wider aviation sector.
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International Women’s Day: How Airports Strengthen PerformanceIn aviation, inclusion is operational. It is reflected in the infrastructure airports build, the experiences they design, and the leadership pathways they open. From accessible childcare and secure transportation to inclusive terminal planning and executive representation, these measures directly support continuity, safety, and long-term growth. ACI World highlights how advancing women’s participation across the airport ecosystem — from frontline operations to executive leadership — strengthens resilience and performance. Key Takeaways Women’s participation strengthens operational resilience and performance across the global airport sector. Airports are implementing workforce solutions such as childcare infrastructure and inclusive operational representation. Passenger infrastructure is...Read more -
How ‘The Airport Guy’ Is Making Aviation Addictive AgainThis article explores how social media creators like Mohammad Taher (“The Airport Guy”) are reshaping how young people discover aviation and airport careers — and what this means for the future airport workforce. Drawing on his experience engaging young audiences, Taher shared a series of practical approaches he uses to spark interest in aviation and connect the next generation with airport careers. 1. Follow your curiosity. “Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to know how on earth airplanes take off. How? I had to find out.” That obsession led him from childhood wonder to an aerospace engineering degree — and eventually to a career dedicated to showing others what...Read more
