End-of-year review: Airports and Aviation Service Businesses

Adam Fell, Principal Consultant for our Aviation & Infrastructure team, reflects on the year’s activity in his sector

I joined Venari Partners’ Aviation & Infrastructure practice last year, focusing on airports and aviation service businesses. Prior to that, I had spent over a decade working in executive recruitment for airports and the transport industry. The last few years have been turbulent – pardon the pun – but there’s never a dull moment!

The year in review

Let’s take a look at some of the main developments we’ve seen for airports, and the knock-on effects for aviation service businesses in 2023:

• With passengers back in numbers, airports and associated businesses will need to handle the increased capacity

• Infrastructure development high on the agenda

• Cargo volumes are down

• Frontline staff issues resolved – for now

• Reducing pollution and carbon emissions is driving strategy, as is tech investment

What does this mean for talent?

• Digital transformation

• Capital delivery

What does 2024 hold?

• Passenger numbers will continue to grow. What does that mean for the sector as a whole?

• Operational efficiency front and centre 

• Travel is a priority

• Business vs leisure travel

• Sustainability will remain high on the agenda

• The pressure is on for ground handling providers 

If you need talent solutions for airports and aviation infrastructure, please reach out to me!