Hong Kong International Airport is a transportation hub in the Asia-Pacific region. In recent years, passenger capacity and cargo volume have grown and driven the local aviation to flourish. With the increase in demand for the manpower of aviation, some airlines hold large-scale job fairs every year and attract more and more young people to join this sector. Lately, many colleges and universities offer aviation-related professional courses to cultivate talented people in Hong Kong. The elemental work of the aviation included cabin attendants, ground crews, aircraft engineers and aircraft maintenance personnel.
Flight Attendant
Duties
- Greet and lead passengers to designated seats
- Provide flight and safety information
- Prepare and arrange catering services for passengers
- Answer passengers’ inquiries
- Keep the cabin clean and clean up the trash
Working hours
Working hours depend on the flight
Working environment
Work in the cabin
Personality
- Good communication skills
- Good time management
Promotion and Reference Salary
Flight attendant
Approximately $15,000 - 20,000
Cabin chief
Approximately $24,000 - 45,000
Cabin service manager
Approximately $45,000 - 70,000
Entry requirements
- Level 2 or above in five subjects (including English) in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE)
- Comply with the language proficiency requirements of the airline
- Fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin
- Meet the airline’s height requirement and pass the physical examination
Example of related training and courses
Higher Diploma / Associate Degree / Advanced Diploma
- Community College of City University - Associate of Science in Airport Operations and Aviation Logistics
- School of Continuing and Professional Education, City University of Hong Kong - Advanced Diploma in Tourism and Airline Management
- Hong Kong College of Technology – Higher Diploma in Tourism Management (Airline Services)
- Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, Vocational Training Council - Higher Diploma in Aviation Services and Passenger Transport
- HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education - Higher Diploma in Aviation Studies
Airline Ground Crew
Duties
Ground crew is responsible for providing customer services in the airport for passengers from different countries. Their main duties are as follows:
- Assist passengers in departure procedures
- Check passenger travel documents and flight ticket
- Seat allocation and baggage arrangement for passengers
- Attend to customer enquiries
Working hours
42 hours a week, work in shift or may require work overtime
Working environment
Work in restricted and/or non-restricted area in the airport
Personality
- Patient
- Helpful
Promotion and Reference Salary
Ground crew
Approximately $14,000 - 16,000
Customer service manager (level 1/2/3)
Approximately $15,000 - 20,000
Customer service supervisor (level 1/2)
Approximately $22,000 or above
Entry requirements
- Level 2 or equivalent or above in five subjects (including English Language) in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSEE) , or equivalent
- Comply with the language proficiency requirements of the airline. Fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin
Example of related training and courses
Higher Diploma / Associate Degree / Advanced Diploma
- Hong Kong City University community College – Associate of Science (Airport Operations and Air Logistics)
- School of Continuing and Professional Education, City University of Hong Kong - Advanced Diploma in Tourism and Airline Management
- Hong Kong College of Technology – Higher Diploma in Tourism Management (Airline Services)
- Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, Vocational Training Council - Higher Diploma in Aviation Services and Passenger Transport
- HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education- Higher Diploma in Aviation Studies
- Hong Kong Baptist University, School of Continuing Education - Associate of Arts (Tourism and Hospitality Management)
Pilot
Duties
Some of the local airlines hold commercial pilot training program in order to attract more young talents to join their industry. The examinations of Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is rigorous, in order to become a qualified pilot, it requires candidates to pass various examinations and accumulate certain numbers of flight hours. The main duties of a pilot are as follows:
- Responsible for take-off, landing, navigating and managing the cockpit
- Manage and communicate with the in-flight crew
- Ensure the aircraft safety and carry the passengers to the destination
- Contact and keep in touch with airport control tower
- Communicate with ground crew, flight attendants and engineers
Working hours
Working hours depends on duration of flights
Working environment
Work indoors in airplanes, respond to changing weather conditions and other emergencies
Personality
- Good time management
- Leadership skills
Promotion and Reference Salary
Pilot trainee
Approximately $30,000 or above
Second officer
Approximately $50,000 or above
First officer
Approximately $70,000 or above
Entry requirements
- Level 3 or equivalent or above in five subjects (including English Language, Mathematics and Physics) in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSEE) , or equivalent (Education requirements may vary from one company to another)
- Comply with the language proficiency requirements of the airline. Good communication skills in both written and spoken English
- Comply with the height and eyesight requirements of the airline company
Example of related training and courses
Training program
Bachelor Degree
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
Duties
Aircraft maintenance engineers maintain and repair the aircraft to ensure the aircraft operation properly and safely, and also safeguard the lives of the passengers and cabin crew. Aircraft maintenance is carried out in four sections: general maintenance, structural maintenance, the engine and aircraft frames maintenance and the communications and electronic maintenance. The main duties are as follows:
- Repair aircraft structural damages
- Routine inspection and tire replacement
- Inspection and maintenance of the aircraft engine system
- Maintain aircraft cockpit communication and electronics systems
Working hours
Approximately 48 hours a week, work in shift
Working environment
Work in air fields, hangars and repair stations; sometimes need to endure hot and cold temperatures when handling tasks outdoors
Personality
- Attention to details
- Patient
Promotion and Reference Salary
Aircraft Machine Maintenance Engineer
Approximately $10,000-$14,000
Aircraft Machine Maintenance Tradesman
Approximately $15,000
Approved Maintenance Technician
Approximately $20,000
Note: The reference salary may vary according to the company and experience.
Entry requirements
- Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
- A good command of spoken and written English and Chinese
Example of related training and courses
Higher Diploma / Associate Degree
- Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, Vocational Training Council,– Higher Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
- Hong Kong Community College, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University - Higher Diploma in Aircraft Services Engineering
Bachelor Degree
Training program
Load Control Assistant
Duties
- Answer customer enquirers
- Check and update flight information, including flight schedule, number of passengers and special meal orders requested by customers, etc
- Promptly and accurately notify the relevant departments of any changes in flight information for follow-up
Working hours
About 40 hours per week, work in shifts
Working environment
Offices
Personality
- Attention to details
- Responsible
- Patient
Promotion and Reference Salary
Load control assistant
Approximately $13,000-18,000
Load control officer
Approximately $20,000 – 25,000
Entry requirements
- Holders of a post-secondary college diploma or higher diploma
- Good listening and speaking skills in both English and Chinese
Example of related training and courses
Higher Diploma / Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree
Remarks
A variety of organisations or associations may provide relevant training classes or courses. If you are intending to pursue these courses, you are reminded to be cautious and collect in-depth information, in particular the tuition fees and qualification recognition upon completion of these courses.
Government Flying Service - Aircraft Technician (Avionics)
Duties
Mainly deployed on carrying out aircraft maintenance, related support activities, workshops, logistics, quality assurance and general duties to ensure the proper operation of aircraft and engineering facilities.
Working hours
Work in shift
Working environment
Work outdoors
Personality
- Attention to details
- Responsible
Promotion and Reference Salary
Aircraft Technician
From $22,405
Senior Aircraft Technician
From $43,745
Chief Aircraft Technician
From $59,290
Note: The reference salary is based on the Master Pay Scale of the civil service. If you are working in a non-governmental organization, your salary may vary
Entry requirements
- Have a Certificate issued by a Hong Kong polytechnic/ polytechnic university, or Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education/ technical college/ technical institute, or equivalent, in Aircraft Maintenance, or Electrical Engineering, or Electronic Engineering, or Telecommunications, or equivalent; or have completed an approved technician apprenticeship or equivalent in the Avionics trade;
- Have a good basic knowledge of electronic hardware or aircraft avionics systems (such as electrical, instrument, autopilot or communication systems); and
- Have met the language proficiency requirement of Level 2 or above in English Language in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination or the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination, or equivalent; and be able to communicate in Chinese
Example of related training and courses
Higher Diploma/Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree