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Airline Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sky Chefs

Director Transportation - Airline Catering Operations Job Location: Irving-USA-75039 Work Location Type: Hybrid About us Since 1942, SkyChefs has taken culinary excellence to new heights. As a ...

AEG

Manager of Event Services

New Orleans, LA · On-site

Shrine on Airline Director FLSA STATUS: Salaried/Exempt Summary ASM Global, the leader in privately managed public assembly facilities, has an excellent and immediate opening for a Manager of Event ...

ASM Global

Manager of Event Services

New Orleans, LA

Shrine on Airline Director FLSA STATUS: Salaried/Exempt Summary ASM Global, the leader in privately managed public assembly facilities, has an excellent and immediate opening for a Manager of Event ...

Sky Chefs

$130K - $158K/yr

Director of Operations- Airline Catering Ops Job Location: Minneapolis-USA-55450 Work Location Type: On-Site Salary Range: $130,000.00 - 158,000.00 About us Since 1942, SkyChefs has taken culinary ...

ASM Global

Manager of Event Services

New Orleans, LA · On-site

Shrine on Airline Director FLSA STATUS: Salaried/Exempt Summary ASM Global, the leader in privately managed public assembly facilities, has an excellent and immediate opening for a Manager of Event ...

Jobs on Cash

Airline Catering Driver

Deerfield, IL · On-site

Job Title: Airline Catering Driver Duration: Permanent Job Type: Full-time The Airline Catering ... Loading, unloading, guiding, and directing aircraft cargo * Transporting cargo safely and on time ...

wearegat

Airline Customer Service Agent

Eugene, OR

Use airline computer systems to provide flight arrival and departure information, ticketing and ... Work independently without direct supervision. Requirements: * Must be at least 18 years of age

wearegat

Airline Customer Service Agent

Eugene, OR

Use airline computer systems to provide flight arrival and departure information, ticketing and ... Work independently without direct supervision. Requirements: * Must be at least 18 years of age

wearegat

Airline Customer Service Agent

Eugene, OR

Use airline computer systems to provide flight arrival and departure information, ticketing and ... Work independently without direct supervision. Requirements: * Must be at least 18 years of age

wearegat

Airline Customer Service Agent

Eugene, OR

Use airline computer systems to provide flight arrival and departure information, ticketing and ... Work independently without direct supervision. Requirements: * Must be at least 18 years of age

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Airline Director information

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$139.5K

How much do airline director jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for airline director in the United States is $91,826.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,000.00 and $101,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Airline Director do?

An Airline Director is a senior executive responsible for overseeing the overall operations, strategy, and management of an airline company. Their duties include setting company policies, ensuring regulatory compliance, managing budgets, and developing business strategies to improve profitability and customer satisfaction. They work closely with other executives and department heads to coordinate activities such as flight operations, safety, marketing, and customer service. Airline Directors also represent the airline in negotiations and partnerships within the industry.

How to become an airplane director?

To become an airline director, candidates typically need extensive experience in airline operations, management, or aviation, often requiring a bachelor's degree in aviation, business, or a related field. Strong leadership, communication skills, and knowledge of airline safety and regulations are essential, and some roles may require certifications such as an Airline Transport Pilot license or equivalent management credentials.

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

In the US, airline directors or senior executives in the aviation industry can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses and profit sharing. High-level roles such as chief executives, investment bankers, and specialized medical specialists also reach this compensation level, often requiring extensive experience, advanced degrees, and leadership skills.

What is the difference between Airline Director vs Airline Operations Manager?

AspectAirline DirectorAirline Operations Manager
CredentialsBachelor's degree in aviation, business, or related field; extensive industry experienceBachelor's degree; experience in airline operations or management
Work EnvironmentExecutive offices, airline headquarters, strategic planning settingsOperational hubs, airline offices, on-site at airports
ResponsibilitiesOversees airline strategy, financial performance, and high-level decision-makingManages daily operations, staff, and ensures compliance with regulations

The Airline Director focuses on strategic leadership and overall airline performance, while the Airline Operations Manager handles daily operational activities. Both roles require industry knowledge, but the Director has a broader, more executive scope, whereas the Operations Manager is more hands-on with daily functions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Airline Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Airline Director, you need extensive knowledge of airline operations, regulatory compliance, and business management, typically supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in aviation, business, or a related field. Familiarity with airline management software, safety management systems (SMS), and certifications such as an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) or relevant management credentials are often required. Exceptional leadership, strategic decision-making, and communication skills set successful Airline Directors apart. These abilities are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient operations and driving the airline's long-term growth and competitiveness.

What are some common challenges faced by an Airline Director when overseeing multiple departments?

An Airline Director often encounters the challenge of aligning various departments—such as operations, customer service, safety, and finance—to achieve unified goals while maintaining regulatory compliance. Balancing cost control with high-quality service and safety standards requires strong leadership and effective communication across teams. Additionally, adapting quickly to industry changes, such as fluctuating fuel prices or new aviation regulations, is essential to ensure the airline remains competitive and efficient.

What is the highest paid position at an airport?

The highest paid position at an airport is typically the Airport Director or Airport CEO, who oversees airport operations, strategic planning, and compliance. These roles often require extensive experience, leadership skills, and may include compensation exceeding $150,000 annually, depending on the airport size and location.

How much money do airplane directors make?

Airline directors, also known as airline managers or executives, typically earn a salary ranging from $100,000 to $200,000 annually, depending on the airline size, location, and experience. They oversee airline operations, manage staff, and ensure safety and efficiency, often requiring extensive industry experience and leadership skills.
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Airline Director jobs near you

Director Transportation - Airline Catering Operations

Sky Chefs

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Director Transportation - Airline Catering Operations 
Job Location: Irving-USA-75039 
Work Location Type: Hybrid 
 

About us
Since 1942, SkyChefs has taken culinary excellence to new heights. As a trusted partner to the nation’s leading airlines and retailers, we proudly deliver millions of meals and exceptional service experiences every year across 43 sites throughout the United States. Built on a legacy of operational excellence, culinary expertise, and continuous innovation, we are committed to setting the industry standard in aviation culinary, airline services, last-mile logistics, and retail commerce. From the kitchen to the runway, our teams work together to deliver quality, reliability, and service at every altitude. Our people are the heart of everything we do. At SkyChefs, a career is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to grow, lead, and make an impact in a fast-paced, team-driven environment. Join America’s first, foremost, and finest and take your career to new heights.
Position Overview

The Director of Transportation, Airline Catering Operations serves as the organizational subject matter expert (SME) for all transportation-related operations within airline catering. This role is responsible for designing, optimizing, and standardizing transportation strategies that ensure safe, compliant, productive, and on-time delivery of catering services to aircraft for North America. The Director provides thought leadership with all transportation directors and managers across Sky Chefs kitchen facilities in the US, drives continuous improvement, and partners cross-functionally to align transportation capabilities with operational and commercial objectives.

 
This newly created role is responsible for driving process standardization and operational excellence across our U.S. transportation function. The position leads the development and implementation of consistent reporting, dashboards, and best practices, while also overseeing the training and onboarding of newly hired Directors supporting transportation operations. In addition, this role serves as a key member of the SWAT/SME team, providing support for new site start-ups, addressing complex operational challenges, and ensuring the successful execution of critical initiatives.
  • Given the complexity and scope of this role, we are seeking candidates with transportation experience in one or more of the following areas: airline catering, aircraft ground handling services, or airport operations
  • Travel requirement for the Director role is 65-80% domestic travel
Main Accountabilities

Subject Matter Expertise & Strategy

  • Act as the NAM expert on all transportation operations, routing, and airside logistics.
  • Define and implement best practices across all locations to drive consistency and operational excellence.
  • Advise Senior Director and Executive Leadership on transportation strategy, risks, and investment decisions.
  • Lead benchmarking efforts to compare internal performance against industry standards.

Operational Excellence

  • Oversee transportation performance across locations, ensuring alignment with on-time departure (D0) and service level agreements.
  • Identify inefficiencies in routing, staging, and people utilization; implement scalable solutions.
  • Develop contingency plans for irregular operations (IROPs), weather events, and disruptions.

Data, Systems & Innovation

  • Serve as SME for transportation operations systems (Groundstar, Forms).
  • Drive data-driven decision making through KPI development, dashboards, and performance analytics.
  • Identify and deploy automation opportunities with CI Teams (e.g., dispatch optimization, predictive analytics).

Cross-Functional Leadership

  • Partner with operations, commercial, and airport stakeholders when applicable to align transportation with production and flight schedules.
  • Support new business launches, station startups, and contract expansions.
  • Act as the escalation point for complex transportation challenges across the network.

Talent & Capability Development

  • Build and develop transportation leadership at each location.
  • Standardize training programs.
  • Promote a culture of accountability, safety, productivity minded and continuous improvement.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Transportation/Logistics related field
  • 8+ years of transportation experience in airline catering, aircraft ground handling services or airport operations required
  • Airline catering, aircraft ground operations or airport operations experience required
  • Strong understanding of airside operations and aviation transportation requirements
  • Experience managing multi-site or network-level operations
  • Proven track record in process improvement and cost optimization
  • Familiarity with transportation management systems and analytics tools
  • Strong technical systems proficiency
  • Ability to travel domestically up to 80%

Sky Chefs is an EEO and Affirmative Action Employer of Women/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

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