The Aeronautical Employment Map: Top Hiring Companies in Spain and LATAM

The Aeronautical Employment Map: Top Hiring Companies in Spain and LATAM

If you’re looking for a job in the aerospace industry, here’s the real problem: there’s no lack of desire, talent, or even training. There is a lack of a map. Most candidates only know airlines and, hopefully, Airbus. But the “airline business” is a much broader ecosystem. And those who understand it first, find work sooner.

The airline industry has entered a phase of sustained growth. The recovery of traffic, the expansion of airports, the pressure to decarbonize, the digitalization of operations and the boom of aviation in Latin America have triggered the need for qualified profiles. But beware: when we say “qualified profiles” we are not just talking about engineers or technical roles.

We are increasingly talking about management profiles: operations, quality, safety, sustainability, commercial, data analysis, planning, project management, purchasing, supply chain, revenue management, compliance, passenger experience… In other words, areas where a graduate in Business Administration, Tourism, Engineering or even someone coming from other sectors can fit in, as long as they understand how the business works.

This article gives you what almost no one else gives you: concrete names (real companies), organized by activity, with an “insider’s” view so you know where to send your CV, what kind of roles exist and how to increase your chances of getting in.

1. Airport Managers: The heart of the infrastructure

If I tell you “I want to work at an airport,” you probably think of check-in, ticket counters, stores or runway. But the airport, in reality, is a company (or a group of companies) that manages critical infrastructure. An airport manager is in charge of:

• Operations (coordination of processes on platform, terminal, turnarounds)
• Operational safety (Safety, SMS, regulatory compliance)
• Physical security (security, access control, coordination)
• Commercial business (retail, parking lots, car rental, concessions)
• Planning and expansion (capacity, works, master planning)
• Quality and passenger experience (KPIs, processes, audits)
• Sustainability (energy, waste, emissions, ESG)

Few candidates are aware of it: airport managers hire a lot for business profiles. If you come from ADE, Tourism, Management, Engineering with project management focus, or have experience in operations/services, there is a real door here.

Spain and Europe

Spain is a privileged market to start an airport career. There are large infrastructures, massive passenger flows and a network with variety (hub, tourist, regional). In addition, many companies in the ecosystem operate from Madrid and Barcelona, with opportunities in other cities.

• AENA (Spain): key manager with extensive network. Typical roles: airport operations, planning, quality, sustainability, commercial, operational safety, project management, procurement.
• Ferrovial Airports (Spain/International): operator with concession approach. Typical roles: asset management, financial planning, operations and business development.

What kind of “clerical” positions exist in an airport manager? (the ones that almost nobody looks at, but are the ones that grow the most)

• Airport Operations: coordination, continuous improvement, incident management, KPIs
• Capacity planning: passenger flows, terminal occupancy, resources, etc.
• Commercial management: non-aeronautical revenues, concessions, retail
• Quality and audits: ISO, processes, monitoring of indicators
• Environmental management / ESG: decarbonization, reporting, energy projects
• Project management: construction sites, terminals, platforms, technology

Insider tip: The airport manager highly values those who understand the logic of the system: “what happens if a resource fails at peak time?”, “which KPI breaks if you change a process?”, “how does a construction site affect the operation?”. If you can talk about this in an interview, you stand out above 90%.

Latin America (The expanding market)

LATAM is the great engine of growth. Concessions, modernizations, expansions and new operating models have created a huge market for junior and management profiles. This is where many professionals get fast-track positions because growth “pulls” employment.

Key groups (the ones you should have on your radar):

• GAP (Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico) – Mexico 🇲🇽
• OMA – Mexico 🇲🇽
• ASUR – Mexico / Colombia 🇲🇽 🇨🇴
• Nuevo Pudahuel – Chile 🇨🇱
• El Dorado (Odinsa) – Colombia 🇨🇴

Where do “management” opportunities tend to appear in LATAM?

• Terminal operations and coordination
• Concession and contract management
• Resource and shift planning
• Quality of service and passenger experience
• Modernization and digital transformation projects

Insider tip: in airport concessions, the strong candidate is the one who understands that the airport is infrastructure + regulation + business. If you only talk about “I like aviation”, you fall short. If you talk about “flow optimization”, “KPIs”, “stakeholder management” and “compliance”, you get into the right conversation.

2. Airlines: Much more than pilots and crew members

When you think of airlines, you think of the cockpit. But the modern airline is a data and operations company. For every pilot or flight attendant, there are entire teams working on the ground to make the system work: planning, revenue, networks, maintenance, safety, quality, customer service, commercial, alliances, compliance…

If you want to join an airline without being a pilot or flight attendant, these are your target areas:

• Revenue Management: revenue optimization (price, inventory, demand)
• Network / Route Planning: routes, schedules, fleet, strategic decisions
• Ground operations: turnarounds, coordination, punctuality (OTP)
• Quality: audits, processes, customer experience, continuous improvement
• Safety & Compliance: compliance and risk management
• HR and training: technical profiles, crew planning, etc.

Consolidated groups and Bandera

In Spain and LATAM there are large groups with robust structures. Here access may be more competitive, but there are also junior talent programs and opportunities in operational areas.

• IAG Group (Iberia, Vueling) – 🇪🇸
• LATAM Airlines – 🇨🇱 (strong regional operation)
• Avianca – 🇨🇴
• Aeromexico – 🇲🇽

What kind of office roles are usually good to start with?

• Operations Analyst
• Planning support
• Customer experience / quality
• Coordination of shifts and resources
• Junior Commercial Analyst / Pricing

Insider tip: In airlines, punctuality (OTP) and regularity are religion. If in your CV or interview you can show that you understand how the operation is managed (turnaround, coordination with handling, slots, incidents), you become very attractive.

The rise of the Low-Cost model

Low-cost does not mean “simple work”. It means hyper-optimized operation. And that creates very interesting opportunities for young profiles: more responsibility, more pressure, more learning.

• Ryanair (bases in Spain) – 🇪🇸
• Volaris – 🇲🇽
• Viva Aerobus – 🇲🇽
• JetSmart – 🇨🇱

Why is it a good place to start a career?

• Highly measured and scalable processes
• Data-driven decisions
• Dynamic operation: you learn fast
• Possibilities to grow to supervisor in less time

3. Aerospace Industry and OEMs: Where technology is born

If airports are “infrastructure” and airlines are “operation”, the aviation industry is “product”: aircraft, engines, components, materials, systems. There are enormous opportunities here, not only for engineering, but also for industrial management and supply chain.

Note the concept: OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. These are the large manufacturers that design aircraft or systems. Tier 1 are Tier 1 suppliers (structures, engines, avionics). And then there is the entire ancillary industry.

Industry giants (Tier 1 and OEMs)

• Airbus (strong presence in Spain) – 🇪🇸
• Boeing – global
• Embraer (giant in Brazil) – 🇧🇷

What management roles exist here?

• Program Management
• Supplier management / purchasing
• Supply chain and logistics
• Quality and audits
• Industrial operations

Insider tip: The industry values those who understand “aeronautical supply chain”: certifications, traceability, quality, deadlines. You don’t need to be an engineer to add value: you can lead projects, processes, quality or procurement.

Auxiliary industry and components

The auxiliary industry is where many profiles enter first. There are more doors: projects, operations, quality, logistics. In Spain they stand out:

• Aernnova
• Aciturri
• ITP Aero

These companies work on structures, components and engines. They are part of global chains, which means English, standards, and process culture.

4. Services, Consulting and Handling: The great unknowns

This is the block that differentiates ITAérea from the rest of the “employment guides”: the companies that almost nobody looks at, but that hire a lot. If the industry seems “closed” to you, it’s because you’re knocking on the wrong doors.

In consulting, infrastructure engineering, aviation technology, aviation navigation and ground services there is a huge volume of employment. And they are often excellent “gateways” to the ecosystem.

Airport Consulting and Engineering

These companies are involved in expansions, planning, operational design, digital transformation and critical systems. For management profiles, they are gold: you learn the business from the inside on multiple projects.

• Ineco (infrastructure and transportation)
• IDOM (international engineering and consulting)
• Indra (ATM – Air Traffic Management)
• Sener (advanced engineering)

What makes these companies attractive?

• Projects in various airports/countries
• Exposure to technology and actual operation
• Accelerated learning
• Natural bridge to airport or airline manager

Insider tip: “Indra (ATM)” is one of those doors that many candidates don’t even know about. If you want to work on systems that literally help control the sky, there is a very powerful career path here.

Handling and Ground Handling Operators

Handling = ground services: aircraft handling, baggage, cargo, turnaround coordination. It is an intense operational world where you learn “real” management. If you have an operations, coordination, logistics or team leadership profile, this block is key.

• Iberia Airport Services
• Swissport
• Menzies Aviation

Why is there so much employability here?

• Constant operating volume
• Natural turnover → opportunities for entry
• Need for supervision and coordination
• Clear roles to grow (agent → coordinator → supervisor).

Insider tip: Many operations managers started on the ground. If you are interested in leading teams and learning real operations, this path may be faster than you think.

What do these companies look for in their candidates?

Here comes the part they won’t tell you in a generic talk. Companies are not looking for “titles” only. They are looking for signs that you understand the industry and can contribute from day 1 (or within a few weeks).

The importance of management specialization

Your degree gives you a foundation. But the aerospace industry is a regulated, technical and highly operational business. That’s why specialization is what makes the difference:

• ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization): conceptual framework for the sector
• Airport management: resources, flows, KPIs, coordination
• Aircraft operation: punctuality, turnarounds, processes
• Safety: safety culture and risk management
• Quality: audits, processes, indicators
• Air transport economics: revenues, costs, business model

Velvet Rope: Few candidates know how to explain how a terminal KPI connects to a business decision or an operational problem on a platform. If you do, you’re in a different league.

English and Management Skills (Soft Skills)

In aviation, English is not “a plus”. It is the working language. And the industry values very specific skills:

• Clear communication (operation = coordination)
• Pressure management (real time incidents)
• Analytical capacity (data-driven decisions)
• Leadership (operational teams)
• Stakeholder management (airlines, regulators, concessionaires)

The key: the industry is not looking for “airplane fanatics”. It is looking for people who understand processes, business and operations, and who can coordinate and lead.

Train to lead in the aeronautics industry

Now you have the map. You know that aeronautical employment is not limited to “airlines + pilots”. You know which doors to knock on: airport managers, consulting, handling, industry, operations, quality, safety and business.

The next logical step is to become the candidate that these companies want to hire.

At ITAérea, training is designed to do just that: understand the airline business from the inside, speak the language of the industry, master key processes and access real opportunities through networking and job opportunities.

 

Our recommended programs to access these positions:

• Official Master’s Degree in Airport and Aeronautical Management and Administration
• Master in Sustainable Air Transport Management
• Master’s Degree in Aeronautical and Airport Security

Getting to know the companies is the first step. Becoming the profile they are looking for is the next.