The work of airport ground staff mainly involves overall management, along with handling passengers’ luggage — from check-in to cargo. They are also responsible for the safety and comfort of passengers from the moment the plane lands. Additionally, ground staff play an important role in air traffic surveillance.

There is a high demand for staff at airports, and if any staff member is absent, the work comes to a halt. Before a plane takes off, several checks are carried out, which require a large amount of human resources. The career and future of airport ground staff are very bright, both in India and abroad. Airport management is not only about pilots and cabin crew but also involves a wide range of professional work such as security, cargo handling, passenger handling, and customer service — all of which fall under the category of airport ground staff. In short, there is currently a huge demand for skilled and efficient airport ground staff, and the job opportunities are abundant.

Meaning of Airport Ground Staff in Hindi:-

There is a significant need for staff at airports, and if any staff member is absent, the work comes to a standstill. Before a plane takes off, multiple checks are conducted, which require a large amount of human resources. The career and future of airport ground staff are very bright, both in India and abroad. Airport management is not only related to pilots and cabin crew, but also involves a wide range of professional work such as security, cargo handling, passenger handling, and customer service — all of which fall under the category of airport ground staff. In short, there is currently a high demand for skilled and efficient airport ground staff, and there are plenty of job opportunities available.

Ability

Passed 10+2 or Graduation from a recognized board. Whether it is Science, Arts, or Commerce — you can become an Airport Ground Staff with minimum qualifying marks. Age limit: 18–32 years
Languages required: English and Hindi
Minimum Marks: This depends on the institute, but having at least 45–50% is considered good.
In a Ground Staff job, your height and weight do not hold any significance.

• > Whether the candidate is male or female, their personality should be pleasant.
• > If the candidate knows additional languages apart from English and Hindi, it gives them an added advantage.
• > Candidates with technical knowledge or customer service experience are given more preference.
• > Both men and women can apply for this job.

Work of Airport Ground Staff

• 1. The candidate should have good communication and listening skills, along with proper writing and speaking ability.
• > They should be able to plan and organize work under pressure and have the habit of completing tasks within deadlines.
• > The candidate must be capable of problem-solving and managing multiple tasks, such as assignments and overall work efficiently.
• > Teamwork is very important, and there should be good interaction and coordination with colleagues.
• The responsibilities and role of ground staff are divided into two parts.

Commercial Role:

One part is the commercial role, where there is direct interaction with customers, and solving any of their problems is the duty of ground staff. Some examples of commercial roles are given below:

• 1. Ensuring the safety and comfort of airline passengers.
• 2. Continuously providing passengers with flight-related information.
• 3. Keeping stock of food and beverages for passengers in the aircraft. It is also the duty of ground staff to replace old stock with fresh supplies.
• 4. Delivering such high-level customer service that passengers choose to travel with the same airline again and remain loyal customers for life.
• 5. Assisting passengers during boarding and deboarding of the aircraft.
• 6. Ground staff are responsible for placing and removing passenger stairs properly, and assisting passengers who require wheelchairs.
• 7. Ground staff are responsible for refueling the aircraft and removing any ice or snow from its surface. They are also actively present at passenger check-in counters, arrival gates, and departure gates.
• 8. Ground staff ensure that no garbage is left on or around the ramp and that passengers do not face any unpleasant experiences.
• 9. It is the duty of airport ground staff to inform passengers about the reasons for flight delays and provide any required information during boarding.

Technical Role:

• 1. Coordinating with staff when an aircraft is about to land.
• 2. Handing over necessary documents to the pilot at the time of departure.
• 3. Checking weather conditions, monitoring fuel, and keeping track of important information is also part of ground staff duties.
• 4. Airport ground staff manage take-off slots and also assist in air traffic control. This includes managing flights that are in the air or about to land. Ticketing, baggage claims, passenger handling, cargo loading and unloading, security processes, and inter-department coordination are all tasks performed by airport staff members.

Courses

Diploma in Airport Ground Staff
The Diploma in Airport Ground Staff is a job-oriented diploma course. The duration of this course is not very long and it is considered a good option for job seekers.
Duration: 3–12 months
Admission
The admission process varies from one institute to another. Many institutes provide admission based on merit or through an entrance test.
This training course is also known by different names, such as – Diploma in Ground Staff Training, Diploma in Airport Ground Staff Training, Diploma in Ground Staff Handling, etc. While the course names may differ, the curriculum and syllabus remain almost the same. There are also other courses in this field that you can pursue, such as Airport Ground Staff Training Certificate, Ground Staff Training Course, IATA Training Course and Certification, Diploma in Airport Ground Staff Training, and Airport Handling Ground Duty Course.
Fees
The course fee depends on the institute. On average, the fees range from ₹40,000 to ₹1,00,000.

Career Opportunities for Airport Ground Staff

Airport Ground Staff professionals have many job opportunities to choose from. These opportunities are available not only in the private sector but also in the government sector.
You can check airport ground staff job vacancies either on the official websites or on various job portals. Below are some job portals where you can find job listings:
Monster.com
Quikr Job
Naukri
Times Job
You can also look for job opportunities directly on airline websites such as Indigo, SpiceJet, Vistara, Air India, GoAir, etc.
Many airlines also provide training after hiring, where they familiarize you with your role and the rules of the airport.

Job Selection Process

• 1. Group Discussion: The selection procedure starts with the GD round, where candidates are divided into groups and given a topic to discuss.
• 2. Personal Interview: Candidates who clear the group discussion move forward to the personal interview. In this round, questions are asked about the candidate’s past experience and background. The interviewer also checks the candidate’s behavior, and if you remain confident, it creates a positive impression.
• 3. HR Round: The final round is the HR round, conducted by the airline’s HR team. In this round, HR asks questions to evaluate your communication skills and personality. Some example questions are given below:
• > Tell us something about yourself.
• > Why do you want to join this company?
• > Why did you choose this career?
• > What do you know about ground staff?
• > Why do you want to join the aviation industry even though you know it requires hard work and can be very tiring?

The most important tip is to remain confident and give correct answers to every question. Airport Ground Staff is a profession where how you communicate with others, understand their problems, provide solutions, and build relationships matters a lot.

Salary

The salary of airport ground staff varies depending on the airline. It depends on whether you are working at a domestic or international airport, the size of the airport, and whether it is in a small city or a metro city. In India, a fresher’s salary is usually between ₹18,000 to ₹25,000 per month, which increases with experience. Later, this salary can reach up to ₹35,000–₹40,000. If you work with an international airline, the pay can be two to three times higher. In some cases, international airlines offer salaries up to ₹1,00,000 per month. A diploma course is not mandatory for a career as airport ground staff. Many companies hire candidates after 12th grade through interviews. However, having prior experience and a diploma opens more opportunities and increases your chances of selection. After completing this diploma, you can also explore other fields such as tourism and hospitality. You can also pursue a Post Graduate Diploma in Airport Ground Staff Training, which is a one-year course and requires either a bachelor’s degree or a diploma qualification.

FAQs about a Career in Airport Ground Staff

Q1. When do airlines release recruitment notifications?

Answer – Recruitment for ground staff is usually based on interviews, and there are no official notifications like SSC or UPSC. Therefore, you must stay updated through the internet. You can check the official websites of airlines or visit different job portals.

Q2. On what basis do you get selected for the job?

Answer – First, you must meet the minimum eligibility of passing 12th grade and have good communication skills. In addition, qualities like personality, patience, teamwork, and adaptability are what airlines look for in a candidate.

Q3. Is it necessary to know a secondary language?

Answer – Knowing an additional language is not mandatory, but you must know English and Hindi. If you know another language, it is an added advantage as it increases your international scope and benefits the airline by improving customer and passenger interaction.

Q4. Can I get a job at the airport after completing 12th grade?

Answer – There are many positions at the airport. For ground staff specifically, airlines hire candidates after 12th grade through interviews. However, just passing 12th is not enough; there are other qualities required. The minimum eligibility is 12th pass.

Q5. What is the dress code for the interview?

Answer – If you are male, you should wear western formals, such as a formal shirt and trousers. If you are female, you may wear a formal shirt with a knee-length skirt. Tie, blazer, and scarf are optional. You will be judged on your appearance during the interview. Your nails and hair should be well-groomed, and your overall look should be neat and clean.

Q6. How many hours do airport ground staff work?

Answer – Generally, the work shift is 8–10 hours, but it may vary. For example –
Morning: 6 AM – 2 PM
Afternoon: 2 PM – 10 PM
Night: 10 PM – 6 AM
General Shift: 10 AM – 6 PM

The aviation sector in India is growing rapidly, leading to an increase in the number of aircraft. This, in turn, increases the need for skilled and qualified airport ground staff to manage daily operations smoothly. Without ground staff, passengers cannot travel, and the demand in this field continues to grow every day. If you believe you have the talent and passion required for the aviation industry, then this career is the right choice for you. In this article, we have tried to provide complete information about the role of airpor