Engineering ServicesISCO 3119
Airport maintenance technician
Airport maintenance technicians are in charge of the maintenance of all equipment necessary for ensuring the functionality of the airport, for example, visual aids, airport electrical systems, luggage systems, security systems, pavements, drainage, and maintenance of unpaved areas.
Check yourself in a minute: airport maintenance technician
Rate 5 of the 12 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
follow written instructions
carry out preventive airport maintenance
report airport security incidents
apply airport standards and regulations
interact with airport stakeholders
About airport maintenance technician
As an airport maintenance technician, you will be responsible for keeping all critical airport systems and infrastructure functioning reliably and safely. Your work spans a diverse range of equipment including visual navigation aids, electrical power systems, baggage handling equipment, security systems, runway pavements, drainage systems, and ground infrastructure. You will perform routine inspections, preventive maintenance, and emergency repairs to minimize downtime and ensure continuous airport operations. Your role is essential to passenger and staff safety, as well as operational efficiency. You will collaborate with multiple departments, respond to maintenance requests of varying urgency, and troubleshoot complex technical issues using your broad mechanical and electrical knowledge.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a airport maintenance technician.
1
Infrastructure and Pavement Maintenance
- Inspect and repair runway and taxiway pavements to ensure safe aircraft operations and compliance with aviation standards
- Maintain airport drainage systems and unpaved areas to prevent water accumulation and ground deterioration
- Conduct routine inspections of ground infrastructure including lighting poles, signage, and barrier systems
2
Electrical and Power Systems Maintenance
- Maintain airport electrical power systems, lighting infrastructure, and distribution networks to ensure uninterrupted operations
- Troubleshoot electrical faults, perform repairs, and ensure compliance with electrical safety regulations
- Install and maintain visual approach guidance systems (VASI) and other navigational lighting equipment
3
Baggage and Security Systems Maintenance
- Maintain baggage handling conveyor systems, mechanical components, and automated sorting equipment
- Inspect and repair security system equipment including access control devices, surveillance cameras, and alarm systems
- Perform preventive maintenance schedules and emergency repairs to minimize downtime of critical systems
4
Preventive Maintenance and Documentation
- Develop and execute preventive maintenance schedules for all airport equipment and infrastructure systems
- Document all maintenance activities, repairs, and equipment condition in maintenance tracking systems
- Coordinate with other airport departments to schedule maintenance work without disrupting airport operations
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (12)
use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.work in an aviation teamwork in an aviation teamWork confidently in a group in general aviation services, in which each individual operates in their own area of responsibility to reach a common goal, such as a good customer interaction, air safety,...follow written instructionsfollow written instructionsFollow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.carry out preventive airport maintenancecarry out preventive airport maintenanceCarry out preventive maintenance on airport equipment and facilities in order to maintain safety, regularity, and efficient operation of air traffic.report airport security incidentsreport airport security incidentsCompose comprehensive reports on airport security incidents, such as the detaining od unruly travellers, confiscation of luggage items, or damaging of airport property.identify airport safety hazardsidentify airport safety hazardsSpot threats related to security at the airport and apply procedures to counteract them in a quick, safe, and efficient way.apply airport standards and regulationsapply airport standards and regulationsKnow and apply the accepted standards and regulations for European airports. Apply knowledge to enforce airport rules, regulations, and the Airport Safety Plan.interact with airport stakeholdersinteract with airport stakeholdersMeet government officials, environmental experts, developers, special interest groups as well as the general public, airport users, and other stakeholders, in order to assess different services, facil...preserve airport maintenance equipmentpreserve airport maintenance equipmentKeep sweepers, mowers, and other airport maintenance equipment ready for use in order to remove contaminants from aircraft operating areas and to ensure the height of grass on unpaved areas meets regu...execute working instructionsexecute working instructionsUnderstand, interpret and properly apply work instructions regarding different tasks in the workplace.perform manual work autonomouslyperform manual work autonomouslyShow the ability to pursue basic manual tasks without the help or assistance of others, not needing supervision or guidance, and taking responsibility for one's actions.airport safety regulationsairport safety regulationsThe applicable airport safety regulations and instructions.
Optional (21) — show
airport electrical systemsairport electrical systemsThe different elements that comprise airport electrical systems, such as air navigation equipment, electronic landing aids, radars, and meteorological services, and the function and operation of each ...causes of damage to paved surfaces in airportscauses of damage to paved surfaces in airportsThe different causes of damage to paved surfaces in airports. Damage that derives from design or construction issues such as insufficient paving, high water content in paving mixtures, improper treatm...visual aid systems in airportsvisual aid systems in airportsThe correct use of visual aid systems in airports, the aim of which is to facilitate the safe operation of aircraft.schedule maintenance of airport electrical systemsschedule maintenance of airport electrical systemsSchedule maintenance for each individual element of an airport electrical system. Set the frequency for maintenance of the different elements while monitoring overall airport operations.remove snow from airport operational areasremove snow from airport operational areasFollow strict procedures to remove snow and ice from the operational and traffic areas of airports. Adhere to the snow plan, particularly in the use of equipment to clear the different areas of the ai...apply airport lighting cleaning proceduresapply airport lighting cleaning proceduresFollow cleaning procedures for airport lighting, whereby the level of dirtiness may vary. Follow cleaning procedures for lights contaminated with dust, and for lights severely contaminated with rubber...ensure functionality of airport lighting systemsensure functionality of airport lighting systemsEnsure that the airport lighting installations and lighting systems work properly by performing quality checks following the completion of maintenance, and by instructing staff on the diagnosis of fla...keep airport drainage systems functionalkeep airport drainage systems functionalKeep all the drainage systems in the airport functional-especially those in the runways. Aim to prevent the formation of standing water, ponds, and puddles.operate various kinds of grass maintenance equipmentoperate various kinds of grass maintenance equipmentOperate different kinds of equipment for grass maintenance such as spindle mowers, cutter bar mowers, rotary mowers, and flail mowers.maintain availability of spare partsmaintain availability of spare partsMaintain an adequate stock of spare parts for all kinds of equipment and ensure their availability for use when necessary.follow airport snow control planfollow airport snow control planFollow the snow control plan written by the snow committee whereby responsibilities for the winter services are detailed, rules on air traffic interruptions are specified, priorities are set, and the ...clean contaminants from airport runwaysclean contaminants from airport runwaysClean away contaminants detected on the runway tarmac such as fuel, lubricants, hydraulic oils, marking paint and rubber. Use techniques for cleaning contaminants such as chemical cleaning, mechanical...comply with regulations on unpaved areas of airportscomply with regulations on unpaved areas of airportsKnow and abide by regulation applying to unpaved areas of airports. Understand the security reasons and specifications for maintenance of green areas in airports, such as the height of grass.address damage to paved surfaces in airportsaddress damage to paved surfaces in airportsReact appropriately to damage identified on airport paved surfaces and tarmac according to the kind of damage. Identify the most cost effective solution that will sufficiently solve the problem and wh...keep signs legiblekeep signs legibleKeep signs legible through all seasons. Ensure that signs relating to taxiing and holding remain clear to users.keep airport runways clear of obstacleskeep airport runways clear of obstaclesUse sweepers, sweeping equipment, or integral sweeper-blowers to clear airport runways of any kind of debris, ranging from damaged pavement, stones from grass mowing, rubber from aircraft tires, dead ...keep markings legiblekeep markings legibleKeep markings legible through all seasons. Prevent markings on lanes and paved areas from becoming discoloured or faded.handle high voltage of airport lightinghandle high voltage of airport lightingHandle high voltages, series circuits, and lighting installations according to safety procedures. Ensure the functionality of these systems for airport operations.apply airport lighting maintenance proceduresapply airport lighting maintenance proceduresApply light maintenance procedures in airports, whereby defective parts are removed and immediately replaced with a new one. Following this, the defective part is taken to the workshop for repair.follow manufacturer guidelines in use of airport equipmentfollow manufacturer guidelines in use of airport equipmentFollow advice provided by manufacturers on the use and maintenance of the different vehicles, equipment, and instruments used in airports. Establish communication processes with manufacturers and unde...prepare notices to airmen for airport terminal servicesprepare notices to airmen for airport terminal servicesPrepare Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) for the airport terminal services (ATS) in reference to the maintenance works and activities in the airport. Report on runway conditions, snow removal operations, th...
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Frequently asked questions
What does an airport maintenance technician do?
Airport maintenance technicians are in charge of the maintenance of all equipment necessary for ensuring the functionality of the airport, for example, visual aids, airport electrical systems, luggage systems, security systems, pavements, drainage, and maintenance of unpaved areas.
What skills does an airport maintenance technician need?
An airport maintenance technician needs 12 essential skills, including use different communication channels, work in an aviation team, follow written instructions, carry out preventive airport maintenance, report airport security incidents.
Will AI replace airport maintenance technician jobs?
The AI disruption score for airport maintenance technician is 36/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: follow written instructions, report airport security incidents, prepare notices to airmen for airport terminal services. Most resilient: clean contaminants from airport runways, apply airport lighting cleaning procedures, operate various kinds of grass maintenance equipment.
AI Replacement Risk
36/ 100
Moderate Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
SectorEngineering Services
ISCO GroupScience and engineering associate professionals
Essential Skills12
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