Airports around the world are in a period of rapid transformation. Rising passenger demand, advances in digital technology, and changing workforce expectations are reshaping how airports operate and what they need from their people.
According to the ACI World ICF Workforce Management at Airports 2025 Report, airports face an urgent challenge: how to attract, retain, and upskill the talent they need to thrive. With an aging workforce, difficulties in recruiting younger employees, and growing competition for skilled workers, airports can no longer rely on traditional approaches. The report makes one thing clear: investing in training is no longer optional. It is strategic.
Why Training Matters More Than Ever
The ACI report highlights that skills shortages are one of the biggest risks to airport sustainability. Many new recruits enter the industry without airport-specific knowledge, leading to longer onboarding timelines and higher turnover. Meanwhile, evolving needs across operations, customer experience, and safety demand capabilities that are often in short supply.
Airports that invest in structured training and development are better positioned to:
- Reduce costly turnover through clearer career pathways
- Onboard new staff faster with job-ready knowledge
- Build resilience by aligning workforce capabilities with future industry needs
ACI's Recommendations for Training
ACI is clear in its guidance: airports must expand access to training and certification opportunities. The report recommends that airports partner with training providers and aviation academies to offer modular, stackable credentials recognized across the airport ecosystem. It also calls for airports to support the development of targeted learning in areas such as customer service, operations, sustainability, and safety, to encourage career progression and workforce mobility.
This shift toward flexible, accredited learning ensures that training builds immediate operational competence while also supporting long-term professional growth for individuals and organizations alike.
How Klayo Training Delivers on This Vision
Klayo's airport training programs are built to meet the priorities outlined by ACI. The Diploma in Airport Operations is structured around modular, accredited, and internationally designed certificate courses, allowing airports to align training with both immediate operational needs and long-term workforce planning. Alongside that, specialized short courses provide targeted learning in key areas, enabling airports to strengthen capabilities and build consistent standards across their teams.
For airports, the benefits are tangible:
- Faster onboarding: Staff gain essential airport-specific knowledge from day one, reducing the time before they can contribute fully to operations.
- Workforce flexibility: Modular programs make it straightforward to train for specific operational needs without requiring lengthy commitments.
- Retention through development: Employees see a clear pathway for career growth, giving them real reasons to stay and advance within the airport.
- Global best practice: Courses are built on international standards and accredited by Airports Council International (ACI).
A Strategic Investment in People
As ACI notes, the strength of the aviation system ultimately rests on its people. Airports that treat training as a strategic investment rather than a compliance exercise will be best placed to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality services in the years ahead. The workforce challenges facing the industry are significant, but they are not insurmountable for organizations that act early and invest deliberately.
Explore the full Klayo catalogue of ACI-accredited courses and see how structured, flexible training can help your airport build the workforce it needs for the future.