Airport Relations Manager

The Airport Relations Manager is responsible for developing and executing Arajet's airport relationship strategy across its network, ensuring strong partnerships with airports, concessionaires, government agencies, and aviation authorities. This role leads the company's airport charges strategy by monitoring, analyzing, negotiating, and responding to airport fee changes while identifying opportunities for cost optimization and commercial value creation.

The position serves as the primary liaison between Arajet and airport stakeholders, coordinating closely with Finance, Commercial, Network Planning, Airport Operations, and Legal to evaluate the operational and financial impact of airport charges, regulatory changes, and commercial agreements. The Airport Relations Manager plays a key role in supporting network growth by ensuring competitive airport costs, maintaining visibility over passenger-facing charges, and providing strategic recommendations that contribute to the airline's long-term profitability and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

Airport Relations & Stakeholder Management

• Develop, maintain, and strengthen strategic relationships with airports, airport operators, concessionaires, civil aviation authorities, government agencies, and industry stakeholders.
• Represent Arajet in meetings, negotiations, and discussions related to airport commercial and operational matters.
• Foster long-term partnerships that support the airline's network expansion and strategic objectives.
• Coordinate communication between airports and internal departments to ensure alignment on commercial and operational initiatives.

Airport Charges Strategy

• Lead the company's airport charges strategy across the network.
• Monitor airport charges, passenger service charges, security fees, landing fees, parking fees, and other airport-related costs.
• Analyze proposed airport fee changes and assess their operational, commercial, and financial impact.
• Develop recommendations and response strategies to mitigate cost increases and maximize commercial opportunities.
• Maintain a comprehensive database of airport charges, incentives, agreements, and regulatory changes.

Negotiation & Commercial Agreements

• Lead negotiations with airports and concessionaires regarding airport charges, commercial incentives, rebates, and partnership agreements.
• Support the development of new commercial opportunities that enhance the airline's competitiveness.
• Collaborate with Legal to review contractual agreements and ensure compliance with negotiated terms.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Finance to evaluate the financial impact of airport charges and support budgeting and forecasting activities.
• Collaborate with Network Planning to assess airport economics for new and existing routes.
• Work closely with Commercial and Revenue Management teams to evaluate passenger-facing fees and market competitiveness.
• Coordinate with Airport Operations to ensure operational implications are considered in negotiations and agreements.
• Provide timely recommendations to senior leadership regarding significant airport fee or regulatory changes.

Regulatory Monitoring & Reporting

• Monitor airport regulatory developments, charging policies, concession agreements, and industry trends.
• Ensure timely escalation of regulatory or airport fee changes that could affect airline operations or profitability.
• Prepare executive reports, dashboards, and presentations summarizing airport charges, trends, risks, and strategic recommendations.
• Maintain visibility of all passenger-facing fee changes across the network and communicate impacts to relevant stakeholders.

Strategic Planning & Cost Optimization

• Support network growth initiatives through airport cost analysis and commercial evaluations.
• Identify opportunities to optimize airport-related costs while maintaining operational excellence.
• Contribute to network profitability by evaluating airport incentive programs and commercial partnerships.
• Participate in strategic projects related to network economics, airport development, and long-term business planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Aviation Management, Economics, Finance, Industrial Engineering, International Business, or a related field.
• Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) or Aviation Management is considered an asset.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in aviation, airport management, commercial strategy, finance, network planning, airline commercial management, or a related field.
• Experience negotiating commercial agreements with airports, aviation authorities, or strategic partners.
• Experience analyzing airport charges, aviation economics, or cost management is highly desirable.
• Experience working in an airline or airport environment is preferred.