Indian Airports Authority Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 171+ Manager & Junior Executive Posts Airport
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has officially released an extensive recruitment notification inviting applications from eligible and dynamic candidates for various Manager and Junior Executive positions. Offering attractive pay packages ranging from ₹60,000 up to ₹1,80,000 per month, this drive represents a premier opportunity for engineering, finance, law, and management graduates looking to build a career in the Indian aviation sector.
If you aspire to join a prestigious public sector enterprise with immense growth potential, comprehensive health benefits, and nationwide mobility, this detailed guide provides everything you need to know—from educational qualifications and age relaxations to exam syllabi and step-by-step application instructions.
Executive Overview of AAI Recruitment
| Parameter | Details |
| Recruiting Body | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Cadre Level | Group A & Group B Officers |
| Designations | Manager & Junior Executive |
| Total Vacancies | 171+ Posts (Across multiple disciplines) |
| Application Mode | Online Only |
| Pay Scale | ₹40,000 – ₹1,40,000 (JE) | ₹60,000 – ₹1,80,000 (Manager) |
| Estimated CTC | Up to ₹13 Lakhs to ₹18 Lakhs per annum |
| Application Deadline | August 30 |
| Official Portal | www.aai.aero |
Breakdown of Vacancies by Post & Discipline
The recruitment process aims to fill critical operational, technical, and managerial openings across domestic and international airports nationwide. The vacancies are broadly divided into two primary tiers:
┌──────────────────────────┐
│ AAI Recruitment 2026 │
└────────────┬─────────────┘
│
┌──────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────┐
▼ ▼
┌──────────────────────────┐ ┌──────────────────────────┐
│ Managerial Posts │ │ Executive Level Posts │
│ (Minimum 3 Years Exp.) │ │ (Freshers Eligible) │
└───────────┬──────────────┘ └───────────┬──────────────┘
│ │
├─ Manager (Civil) ├─ Junior Executive (Finance)
├─ Manager (Electrical) ├─ Junior Executive (Operations)
├─ Manager (Finance) ├─ Junior Executive (Law)
├─ Manager (Information Technology) └─ Junior Executive (Cartography)
└─ Manager (Commercial / Operations)
1. Managerial Cadre
- Manager (Civil Engineering): Responsible for airport infrastructure planning, runway development, terminal building maintenance, and structural compliance.
- Manager (Electrical Engineering): Oversees airfield ground lighting systems, sub-station operations, HVAC systems, and power distribution across airport terminals.
- Manager (Finance): Handles budget allocation, corporate accounting, auditing, tariff planning, and financial clearances for airport expansion projects.
- Manager (Information Technology): Manages enterprise IT infrastructure, cybersecurity systems, digital passenger service portals, and communication networks.
2. Junior Executive Cadre
- Junior Executive (Operations): Manages terminal operations, passenger facilitation, apron control, and landside coordination.
- Junior Executive (Finance): Supports day-to-day financial accounting, vendor payments, tax compliance, and payroll management.
- Junior Executive (Law): Assists in drafting legal agreements, airport concession contracts, handling litigation, and regulatory compliance.
- Junior Executive (Survey / Cartography): Focuses on geospatial mapping, obstacle clearance surfaces around airports, and topographical surveys.
Comprehensive Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must ensure they fulfill both the educational qualifications and age limits prescribed for their respective disciplines as of the closing date of applications.
1. Educational Qualifications
- Manager (Civil & Electrical): Full-time Bachelor’s degree (B.E / B.Tech) in Civil or Electrical Engineering from a recognized university or institute with a minimum of 60% marks. A minimum of 3 years of executive experience in the relevant field is mandatory.
- Manager (Finance): Chartered Accountant (CA), Cost and Management Accountant (CMA), or full-time 2-year MBA with specialization in Finance from a recognized institution, accompanied by 3 years of post-qualification experience.
- Manager (IT): B.E / B.Tech in Computer Science, Information Technology, or Master of Computer Applications (MCA) with 3 years of professional experience in software development, network administration, or IT security.
- Junior Executive (Finance): B.Com combined with a 2-year full-time MBA in Finance, or clearing CA/CMA final examinations. No prior work experience required.
- Junior Executive (Operations): Graduate in Science (B.Sc) with Physics and Mathematics, OR a full-time Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (B.E / B.Tech in any discipline).
- Junior Executive (Law): Professional Degree in Law (3-year or 5-year integrated LL.B course) eligible for enrollment as an Advocate with the Bar Council of India.
2. Age Limit & Category Relaxations
The standard maximum age limits for the posts are as follows:
- Junior Executive Posts: Upper age limit of 27 years.
- Manager Posts: Upper age limit of 32 years.
Upper Age Limit Relaxations (As per Government of India Directives):
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): Relaxable by 3 years (Up to 30 years for JE, 35 years for Manager).
- SC / ST Candidates: Relaxable by 5 years (Up to 32 years for JE, 37 years for Manager).
- PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities): Relaxable by 10 years.
- Ex-Servicemen: As per applicable Central Government rules.
Salary Structure & Compensation Package
Selected candidates are placed on standard Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) pay scales under the IDA (Industrial Dearness Allowance) pattern.
┌──────────────────────────┐
│ Compensation & Pay │
└────────────┬─────────────┘
│
┌──────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────┐
▼ ▼
┌──────────────────────────┐ ┌──────────────────────────┐
│ Junior Executive (E-1) │ │ Manager (E-3) │
├──────────────────────────┤ ├──────────────────────────┤
│ Scale: ₹40,000 - 1,40,000│ │ Scale: ₹60,000 - 1,80,000│
│ Initial Gross: ~₹60,000+ │ │ Initial Gross: ~₹1,00,000│
│ CTC: ~₹13 Lakhs/Year │ │ CTC: ~₹18 Lakhs/Year │
└──────────────────────────┘ └──────────────────────────┘
Additional Perks & Allowances
In addition to the basic pay, selected officers are entitled to a comprehensive benefits basket:
- Dearness Allowance (DA): Industrial DA updated quarterly based on consumer price indices.
- House Rent Accommodation (HRA): Provided as per city classification (X, Y, Z categories) or company quarters where available.
- Cafeteria Allowances: Up to 35% of Basic Pay towards various perks (medical reimbursement, conveyance allowance, utility subsidies).
- Social Security Benefits: Contributory Provident Fund (CPF), Gratuity, and Defined Contributory Pension Scheme.
- Medical Insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage for self and dependent family members.
Selection Process & Examination Pattern
The selection methodology is designed to evaluate technical proficiency, domain knowledge, and logical aptitude.
┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐
│ Phase 1: CBT │ ──► │ Phase 2: Doc │ ──► │Phase 3: Interview│ ──►│ Phase 4: Medical│
│ Online Exam │ │ Verification │ │ (Managers Only) │ │ Fitness Test │
└─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘
1. Phase 1: Computer Based Test (CBT)
The online exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to be answered in 120 minutes. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
| Part | Section | Questions | Weightage |
| Part A | General Awareness, Reasoning, English Language, & Quantitative Aptitude | 50 Questions | 50 Marks |
| Part B | Domain Specific / Technical Subject Questions | 70 Questions | 70 Marks |
| Total | 120 Questions | 120 Marks |
2. Phase 2: Document Verification
Candidates scoring above the cutoff marks in the CBT are shortlisted in a 1:3 ratio for physical document verification. Originals of educational transcripts, category certificates, identity proofs, and experience certificates are checked.
3. Phase 3: Personal Interview (Managerial Posts Only)
Candidates applying for Manager positions undergo a personal interview to assess leadership potential, managerial skills, and industry awareness.
4. Phase 4: Medical Fitness
Final selection depends on passing a comprehensive medical examination conducted by AAI-authorized medical officers to ensure physical fitness for airport operational duties.
Application Fee & Payment Details
- General / OBC / EWS Candidates: ₹1,000/- (inclusive of GST).
- SC / ST / PwBD / Female Candidates: Exempted from paying the application fee.
- Payment Gateways: Fees must be remitted strictly through online modes using Debit Cards (RuPay/Visa/MasterCard), Credit Cards, Internet Banking, or UPI infrastructure.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Apply Online
Follow these steps to complete your registration without errors:
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│ Step 1: Visit Official Portal (www.aai.aero) │
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│
┌───────────────────────────▼────────────────────────────┐
│ Step 2: Navigate to "Careers" and click Registration │
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│
┌───────────────────────────▼────────────────────────────┐
│ Step 3: Fill Basic Details (Email, Mobile No., Name) │
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│
┌───────────────────────────▼────────────────────────────┐
│ Step 4: Complete Qualification & Experience Info │
└───────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┘
│
┌───────────────────────────▼────────────────────────────┐
│ Step 5: Upload Scanned Photo, Signature & Documents │
└───────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┘
│
┌───────────────────────────▼────────────────────────────┐
│ Step 6: Pay Application Fee via Online Gateway │
└───────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┘
│
┌───────────────────────────▼────────────────────────────┐
│ Step 7: Preview Form, Submit & Save Acknowledgment │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
- Visit the Portal: Open your browser and go to the official website: www.aai.aero.
- Access Careers Tab: Click on the Careers section on the homepage and select the active link for “Recruitment of Managers and Junior Executives”.
- Primary Registration: Click on “New Registration”. Enter your full name, valid email address, and active mobile number. Upon successful registration, login credentials (User ID and Password) will be sent via SMS and email.
- Fill Detailed Application: Log in using your credentials. Complete the personal, educational, category, and work experience details accurately.
- Upload Required Documents:
- Passport-size photograph (Recent, clear background, 20 KB – 50 KB in JPG format).
- Signature on white paper with black ink (10 KB – 20 KB in JPG format).
- Caste / EWS / Disability certificates (if applicable, in PDF format).
- Educational marksheets and degree certificates.
- Application Preview: Thoroughly check all entries before final submission. Details cannot be edited once the form is submitted.
- Fee Payment: Proceed to the payment gateway and complete the transaction.
- Print Application: Save the generated PDF confirmation and print at least two copies for future reference during document verification.
Important Dates to Remember
- Notification Release Date: Early August
- Online Registration Starts: August 08
- Last Date to Apply Online: August 30
- Last Date for Application Fee Payment: August 30
- Computer Based Test (CBT) Date: To be announced on the AAI portal
- Preparation Tips for AAI Exam Success
- Understand Syllabus Weightage: Focus heavily on Part B (Domain Knowledge), as it accounts for 70 out of 120 marks.
- Practice Quantitative & Reasoning Aptitude: Solve previous years’ question papers to build speed and accuracy for Part A sections.
- Take Mock Tests: Utilize online test series to adapt to the computer-based test format and improve time management skills.
- Stay Updated on Aviation Industry News: For Managerial and Operational roles, basic awareness of civil aviation policies, airport safety protocols, and current industry trends is beneficial.
Eligible candidates are advised not to wait until the final deadline to submit their applications to avoid potential server congestion. Visit the official website www.aai.aero today to begin your registration.