Head of Airport Planning

The Head of Airport Planning is responsible for leading and coordinating the planning and development of airport infrastructure and aviation facilities across AD Airports. The role ensures the delivery of high-quality master planning, capacity assessment, and long-term growth strategies while addressing near-term operational and project delivery requirements.

The position manages a team of planners and consultants to ensure all planning deliverables — including capacity analysis, master plan updates, and project definitions — are completed accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with regulatory and corporate standards. The role also provides technical leadership and planning support to capital investment projects, ensuring alignment with operational, regulatory, and environmental requirements.

Responsibilities

Planning & Technical Delivery

• Lead preparation and updates of airport master plans, terminal and airfield layout plans, and land-use plans across all AD Airports.
• Manage delivery of short- and long-term planning projects in line with approved strategies, schedules, and budgets.
• Conduct capacity-demand analyses and recommend operational or infrastructure solutions.
• Oversee air traffic forecasts, peak-hour analyses, and fast-time simulations.
• Supervise technical studies, feasibility reports, and scope documents for capital development projects.
• Ensure development and maintenance of GIS and AutoCAD-based airport layout and land-use plans.

Project Definition & Support

• Translate strategic objectives and master plan recommendations into actionable project definitions.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and consultants on concept layouts and development options.
• Review design briefs, concept designs, and infrastructure studies for alignment with planning strategies.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Coordinate with Operations, Engineering, and Commercial teams to align planning with business needs.
• Engage with government authorities (GCAA, DMT) to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Liaise with airlines, partners (including Etihad Airways), and external stakeholders to integrate requirements.

Regulatory Compliance & Governance

• Ensure master plans meet GCAA and DMT regulatory requirements.
• Safeguard airspace and land use through zoning, obstacle limitation surfaces, and safety coordination.
• Maintain up-to-date planning documentation, approvals, and permits.

Budget & Resource Management

• Prepare and manage departmental budgets in coordination with Finance.
• Support financial evaluations and cost-benefit analyses for infrastructure projects.
• Oversee tender evaluations and manage planning consultant contracts.

People Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop the airport planning team.
• Identify training needs and support development of Emirati talent.
• Foster accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Requirements and Skills

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in airport planning and development, including terminal and airfield planning.
• Proven experience managing planning studies and consultant teams for large, complex airport projects (greenfield and brownfield).
• Experience working in the Middle East or similar multicultural environments preferred.

Technical Competencies

• Technical expertise in airport and airfield planning.
• Strong background in master planning for small, medium, and large airports.
• Expert knowledge of ICAO, IATA, FAA airport planning and design standards, and local regulatory requirements.
• Strong understanding of aviation industry operations, infrastructure planning standards, and regulatory frameworks (GCAA, ICAO).
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, GIS, CAST, and other airport planning/design/simulation tools.

Core Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent presentation and report writing skills.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management capabilities.