Airport information assistant

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Hospitality, catering and tourism
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Career outlook for airport information assistant

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£13,000

Experienced

£22,000


Currently employed in Scotland

5,200

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would give passengers in the airport accurate information about flights and schedules. You'd provide clear directions so they can find their way around the airport.

You'd help people with information about changes to flights, including passengers who may be impatient or angry after a tiring journey or delays.

You would:

  • Give out information about flights and airport services
  • Direct passengers to find their way around the airport, for example, to send them to the right departure gate
  • Answer telephone enquiries
  • Make announcements on the public address system
  • Handle complaints
  • Update and monitor the computerised flight information system

Most of your time would be spent at the information desk in the main concourse, working as part of a small team.

In smaller airports you may also exchange foreign currency, book hotels and car hire and deal with lost property.

Working conditions

Hours

Information desks are usually staffed 24 hours a day and you would typically work shifts on a rota. Part-time hours may be available.

Environment

Airports are often busy, crowded and noisy. You would deal with a range of enquiries and may need to use your initiative in certain situations, such as helping passengers who do not speak English, or helping to reunite parents with a lost child.

UK employment status

Full-time

49%

Part-time

40%

Self employed

11%

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  • Positive attitude
  • Attention to detail
  • Verbal communication
  • Cooperating
  • Respecting
  • Empathising

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Qualifications

There are no formal qualifications required to enter this role but some employers may ask for qualifications at SCQF levels 4-6.

Relevant qualifications are:

  • National Certificate in International travel with Airport Ground Operations (SCQF Level 6): entry requires three National 5 qualifications
  • NQ Check-in to Travel (SCQF 5): no formal qualifications required for entry

Useful subjects

  • English (required by many courses and employers)
  • Maths (required by many courses and employers)
  • Languages

Subjects which demonstrate good IT skills.

 

You will also need

To be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland.

Helpful to have

Any qualifications and experience that demonstrate helping customers and an interest in travel, tourism or hospitality such as Skills for Work Travel and Tourism (SCQF Level 4/5) may be helpful.

Communication and language qualifications may also be of value such as SQA  Modern Languages for Life & Work Award (SCQF 3/4).

Relevant work-based qualifications such as a City & Guilds Diploma in Aviation Operations on the Ground (SVQ Level 2/3) or be willing to work towards qualifications once in a job.

Some employers also value qualifications including the Scottish Vocational Qualification Diploma in Passenger Carrying Vehicle Driving (Bus and Coach).