Job Description

The Officer – AOCC Airside is responsible for tactical airside operations including stand, gate and tow planning, ad-hoc slot approvals, landing permissions, invoicing for cash operators, and operational data reconciliation.

The role operates within the Airport Management Centre (AMC), the central hub responsible for:

• Operations Planning: Integrated operational planning and performance analysis to achieve target Levels of Service (LOS) across ADAC airports.
• Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC): Day-of-operations management within a 24/7 control room environment in collaboration with airlines, ground handlers, authorities, and emergency services.
• Operations Data & Analytics: Data quality management, reporting, analytics, and development of operational tools.

Initially, the role focuses on Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) and preparation for the Midfield Terminal Complex (MTC), with potential future scope across other ADAC airports.

The job holder must demonstrate Abu Dhabi Airports values and behaviours and maintain the required competency and license to operate. Failure to maintain competency may result in removal from the role.

Responsibilities

Tactical Planning & Allocation – Stands, Gates and Towing

• Plan, allocate, and monitor aircraft stands, gates, and towing operations to ensure safe, efficient operations and achievement of service levels.
• Monitor aircraft flow and on-time performance (OTP) to optimise airside capacity.
• Respond to unplanned operational changes and minimise passenger disruption.
• Advise Manager – AOCC Airside of significant operational developments.
• Monitor IT systems and initiate corrective actions when faults occur.
• Liaise with AOCC teams, ATC, airlines, control authorities, and airside management to minimise disruption.
• Coordinate with Airport Coordination Limited (ACL) to provide 24-hour slot management, including out-of-hours and ad-hoc changes.

Ad-Hoc Slot Approvals, Landing Permissions and Invoicing

• Assess and approve ad-hoc slot requests within declared capacity and available resources.
• Allocate and update slots within 24 hours of operation or during ACL out-of-office hours in line with policies and procedures.
• Coordinate with Manager – AOCC Terminal to confirm terminal capacity and manpower availability.
• Issue landing permissions for ad-hoc flights in accordance with SOPs and approval criteria.
• Generate invoices for cash-operated flights upon departure.

Communications & Collaborative Decision Making

• Support Manager – AOCC Airside in coordinating with ATC, GCAA, DMT, airlines, presidential flight, general aviation, and ad-hoc operators.
• Ensure common situational awareness through effective communication and response to system alerts.
• Participate in operational discussions relating to daily operations and SLA performance.

Monitor Aircraft Flow – Optimise Capacity and Service Delivery

• Proactively monitor arrivals, departures, and resource availability to identify risks or conflicts.
• Assess feasibility of requested allocation changes and communicate updates to stakeholders.
• Monitor delays, assess operational impact, and implement mitigation actions.
• Liaise with airlines to adjust schedules where capacity cannot be accommodated and follow up on rejected delay causes.

Data Quality & Reporting

• Maintain accurate and complete flight and airline data within AMS in compliance with data quality standards.
• Produce concise operations logs, shift handovers, and reports to support performance analysis and continuous improvement.

Requirements and Skills

Qualification & Experience

• Degree-level education preferred; equivalent operational management experience considered.
• Minimum 4 years relevant experience in airport, airline, or ground handling operations.

Essential Personal Skills

• Strong problem-solving ability.
• Ability to justify and document decisions clearly while working under pressure.

Essential Interpersonal Skills

• Clear, precise, and confident communication.
• Ability to influence and collaborate with multiple stakeholders.

Essential Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Strong understanding of airside operations and aircraft turnaround processes.
• Working knowledge of airport operational resources and processes (ATC, passenger, baggage, cargo, slot management).
• Knowledge of airport and airline emergency procedures and incident management.
• Awareness of regulatory and advisory bodies (IATA, ICAO, GCAA, ACI).
• Experience with airport systems (e.g. SITA AMS) and airside/ATC systems.
• Understanding of aviation meteorological data (METAR, TAF).
• Knowledge of Airport Conditions of Use and airside compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of airport and airline codes.
• Knowledge of commercial and private aircraft types and requirements.
• Understanding of slot allocation, data management, and consolidation.
• Fluent spoken and written English (ICAO Level 4 / Global English Level 7).
• Strong reporting, shift briefing, and handover documentation skills.
• Intermediate proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word).

Desirable / Ideal Skills

• Knowledge of ICAO Annex 14, GCAA CAR Part IX & XI.
• Familiarity with ACI Apron Safety and Airside Safety Handbooks.
• Experience with airport control centre systems and operational planning.
• Understanding of A-CDM concepts and associated business impacts.

Advantageous Skills

• Arabic language proficiency.
• Crisis management experience.
• Business process improvement skills.
• Manpower planning and deployment.
• Process writing and governance experience.