Introduction to Airside

Operations
Airside operations are the critical activities that take place on the expansive areas
of an airport beyond the passenger terminals and other landside facilities. This
dynamic and fast-paced environment is where aircraft, ground support
equipment, and airport personnel seamlessly coordinate to ensure the safe and
efficient movement of aircraft, passengers, and cargo. As an intern or trainee in
airside operations, you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and
develop a deep understanding of the intricate processes that underpin the aviation
industry.

Aa
by Ahad Alzaabi
Internship Objective

1 Comprehensive 2 Practical Skills 3 Exposure to

Understanding Development Interdepartmental
Collaboration
The primary objective of Through a combination
this internship is to of classroom learning Airside operations
provide you with a and on-the-job training, require seamless
comprehensive you will have the coordination between
understanding of the opportunity to develop various airport
various functions and practical skills that are departments, such as air
responsibilities within essential for success in traffic control,
airside operations. You the aviation industry. maintenance, and
will gain exposure to the This includes security. As an intern,
day-to-day activities, the proficiency in airfield you will gain valuable
specialized equipment, navigation, aircraft insights into how these
and the critical safety marshaling, and the different teams work
protocols that govern handling of ground together to ensure the
this dynamic support equipment. smooth and safe flow of
environment. aircraft, passengers, and
cargo.
Responsibilities of an Airside
Intern/Trainee
Airfield Navigation Aircraft Marshaling Ground Support
Equipment
You will learn to navigate the You will have the opportunity
complex airfield, including to assist with aircraft As part of your training, you
taxiways, runways, and apron marshaling, which involves will learn to operate various
areas, to support various guiding aircraft to their ground support equipment,
airside operations. This designated parking positions such as pushback tugs,
includes understanding airport using standardized hand baggage loaders, and de-icing
signage, markings, and signals and aircraft vehicles. This will give you a
lighting systems to ensure safe marshallers. This hands-on thorough understanding of the
movement around the airfield. experience will help you equipment used to facilitate
develop the coordination and the safe and efficient
communication skills required turnaround of aircraft.
for this critical role.
Hands-on Experience
Independent Tasks
As you progress through the internship, you
Observation
will be given the opportunity to take on more
You will begin your internship by observing independent tasks and responsibilities, with the
experienced airside personnel as they perform support of your supervisors. This will allow
their duties. This will allow you to familiarize you to demonstrate your competence and
yourself with the various processes and contribute meaningfully to the airside
procedures, as well as the dynamic nature of operations.
the airside environment.

1 2 3

Supervised Training
Under the guidance of seasoned airside
professionals, you will gradually take on more
hands-on responsibilities. This supervised
training will enable you to develop practical
skills and apply the knowledge you have
gained in a safe and controlled setting.
Airside Safety and Security Protocols
Safety Regulations Security Measures
Airside operations are governed by strict The airside area is a highly secure
safety regulations and protocols to ensure the environment, with multiple layers of security
well-being of personnel, aircraft, and the measures in place to prevent unauthorized
overall airport infrastructure. As an intern, you access and maintain the integrity of airport
will receive comprehensive training on topics operations. You will learn about the various
such as personal protective equipment (PPE), security checkpoints, access control systems,
hazard identification, and emergency response and reporting procedures that are essential for
procedures. maintaining a safe and secure airside
environment.

Situational Awareness Teamwork and Communication

Developing a keen sense of situational Effective communication and teamwork are
awareness is crucial for working safely in the fundamental to ensuring the safety and
airside environment. You will learn to efficiency of airside operations. As an intern,
constantly monitor your surroundings, you will have the opportunity to participate in
anticipate potential hazards, and respond team-based exercises and simulations,
quickly to any changes or emergency enhancing your ability to collaborate with
situations that may arise. diverse airport personnel and coordinate your
actions effectively.
Airfield Maintenance and Inspections

Runway Taxiway Upkeep Apron Airfield Lighting

Maintenance Management
Taxiways are the Proper airfield
Maintaining the pathways that connect The apron, or ramp, is lighting is essential for
integrity and condition the runways to the where aircraft are safe aircraft
of the runways is a apron and other parked, loaded, and operations,
critical aspect of airside areas. You will unloaded. You will particularly during
airside operations. gain insight into the learn about the low visibility
You will learn about maintenance specialized equipment conditions. You will
the various techniques procedures and and techniques used to gain an understanding
and equipment used to inspections required to maintain the apron of the different
inspect, repair, and keep these critical surfaces, manage lighting systems, their
preserve the runway infrastructure aircraft and ground maintenance
surfaces to ensure safe elements in optimal support vehicle requirements, and the
aircraft operations. condition. movements, and procedures for
ensure the overall ensuring their reliable
efficiency of this busy performance.
area.
Airside Incident Reporting and Response

Observation Reporting Response

As an intern, you will learn You will be trained on the In the event of an incident,
to recognize and report any established protocols and you will understand the
incidents or irregularities procedures for reporting airport's emergency response
that occur within the airside airside incidents, ensuring plan and your role in
environment, such as that the appropriate supporting the coordinated
equipment malfunctions, personnel and authorities are efforts of various teams,
personnel injuries, or notified in a timely and such as maintenance,
security breaches. efficient manner. security, and emergency
services, to mitigate the
situation and restore normal
operations.
Professional Development Opportunities

Mentorship Program Training Workshops Networking

Opportunities
During your internship, you The internship program will
will be paired with offer a range of specialized As an intern, you will have the
experienced airside training workshops and chance to network with
professionals who will serve seminars, covering topics such professionals from various
as your mentors. These as airport operations, aircraft airport departments, as well as
seasoned experts will provide handling, airfield safety, and industry partners and
guidance, share their regulatory compliance. These stakeholders. These
knowledge and insights, and learning opportunities will connections can provide
help you develop the skills and allow you to deepen your valuable insights, open up
competencies required for a understanding of the industry future job opportunities, and
successful career in the and prepare for potential help you build a strong
aviation industry. career paths. professional network within
the aviation industry.
Conclusion and Recommendation
The airside operations internship program offers a unique and invaluable opportunity to gain hands-
on experience in the dynamic world of aviation. By immersing yourself in the various responsibilities
and processes that underpin the safe and efficient movement of aircraft, passengers, and cargo, you
will develop the skills, knowledge, and practical expertise that are highly sought after in the industry.

This internship will not only provide you with a comprehensive understanding of airside operations
but also equip you with the tools and resources to pursue a rewarding career in the aviation sector.
Whether your aspiration is to become an airport operations manager, a ground handling specialist, or
a safety and security professional, this experience will serve as a strong foundation for your future
success.

I highly recommend this internship program to anyone with a keen interest in the aviation industry
and a desire to contribute to the seamless and safe operation of airports. The hands-on training,
exposure to industry best practices, and professional development opportunities will undoubtedly
make this an immensely valuable and transformative experience.