Airport Planner - Aviation

We are currently seeking an Airport Planner that will join a team of aviation professionals to help support and grow the Airport Planning & Advisory team in the UK. You will be working on a range of projects across the UK and Internationally with a strong focus on delivering high quality airport planning services and solutions. The Airport Planner role will support the Airport Planning and Advisory Team across the development and delivery of technical and project work.  

WSP specialise in airport planning and advisory for aviation infrastructure both in terms of planning new airports and assessing existing airports for their potential for redevelopment, expansion and operational improvement.  

• In terms of Airport Planning, the team delivers consultancy services relating to airport master planning, demand forecasting, capacity analysis, terminal and support facility planning, airfield planning and phasing, airside and terminal simulation modelling, and environmental and sustainability advice. 
• In terms of Aviation Advisory, the team provides aviation business and regulatory advice, including regional and national policy studies, technical advisor roles for investors and lenders, economic analysis, research and benchmarking, technical due diligence for acquisitions and privatisations, and airport operations advisory.  

WSP recognises that Airports have become more than places where travellers arrive and depart. As global connectivity hubs, they drive innovation and technological developments, and they stimulate social and economic activity in their local communities. Our projects range from strategic consulting services to project management, from microsimulation models to airport master plans, from terminal expansion to carbon accreditation, and from rehabilitating runways to implementing baggage handling systems. 

A typical week would include:  

• Contributing to the technical delivery of airport planning and advisory tasks on a variety of international aviation projects; 
• Delivering airport planning & capacity solutions as part of airport master plans and development projects, covering airfield, apron, terminal, landside, ancillary facilities etc; 
• Undertake analytical studies relating to air traffic forecasting and capacity-demand analysis; 
• Prepare airport master plan, terminal layout or airfield layout drawings in AutoCAD; 
• Undertaking airfield and/or terminal simulation modelling work using software such as CAST or AirTOP; 
• Being responsible for the successful management and delivery of airport planning related tasks; 
• Assisting the project manager with the management of project processes; 
• Contributing to the preparation of bids and proposals for potential new projects; and 
• Providing technical training and professional guidance to junior members of the team. 

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

• A Bachelor degree, or preferably a Masters degree, or other equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline such as air transport management, airport planning, engineering, architecture, or transport planning; ca. 2-5 years’ of relevant airport planning experience; 
• Chartership with a relevant professional body is preferred but not mandatory; 
• A proven track record in an Airport planning role with either a consultancy or airport operator – with strong experience in airport master planning, terminal and/or airside spatial planning; capacity analysis, terminal facilities planning, support facilities planning, and familiar with CAA, EASA, ICAO and IATA and other standards applicable to aviation; 
• Strong spatial planning and master planning skills, including the ability to use Auto CAD for the development of airport layout drawings; 
• Strong data analysis and presentational skills; 
• Competent task management skills and experience with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritisation of responsibilities in a dynamic team environment; 
• Possess a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications;  
• Working knowledge and experience of simulation & modelling tools for airfield and terminal facilities will be favourably considered e.g. CAST Aircraft and/or Terminal or AirTOP; 
• A keen interest in ensuring that airport development plans incorporate ‘future ready’ ideas to deliver efficient and effective airports of the future, based on achieving net-zero, decarbonisation, and sustainable aviation goals; 
• Competent interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a technical and non-technical audience.