Specialise in: airport finance

‘We’re undertaking a massive infrastructure programme in an environment that is the fourth busiest airport in the UK, while at the same time it’s a live operation moving tens of millions of passengers,’ he says.

This duality defines the sector. Airports are long-term infrastructure assets, often backed by institutional investors and built on decades-long investment horizons. Yet they are also consumer-facing businesses where performance is measured in queues, punctuality and customer experience.

The result is a fast-paced environment where finance teams must balance strategic planning with operational agility.

Wide range of career paths

Airport finance offers a variety of entry points and career routes. Professionals may begin in traditional roles such as financial accounting, audit or FP&A before moving into more specialised areas:

• finance business partnering – one of the most prominent functions in modern airport finance teams, working closely with operations, commercial teams and senior leadership to support decision-making
• commercial finance – supporting revenue streams such as retail concessions, car parking, airline agreements and route development
• capital investment and project finance – overseeing large-scale infrastructure projects, from terminal expansions to sustainability initiatives
• operational finance – working alongside frontline teams to ensure efficiency in areas such as security, baggage handling and passenger flow.

Dolphin notes that while the roles themselves may be familiar, the context is distinctive: ‘It is the same story in a different town, but there are nuances. You’re working in a highly complex, highly visible environment.’

Skills that set candidates apart

The technical foundations of accounting and finance remain essential, but the airport sector places a premium on broader capabilities.

Commercial awareness is critical. Airports generate revenue from a diverse mix of sources – airlines, retail, parking, property and logistics – and finance professionals must understand how these interact.

Stakeholder management is equally important. Finance teams work with operational staff, regulators, government agencies, airlines and construction partners. In some roles, even security clearance may be required due to the sensitive nature of operations.

Analytical and digital skills are increasingly vital. Like many sectors, aviation is embracing automation and AI-driven analytics. Dolphin is clear on the direction of travel: professionals must focus on value-add activities rather than routine reporting.

Finally, adaptability is key. External factors, from geopolitical events to weather disruption, can have immediate financial and operational consequences, requiring quick, informed responses.

Experience and entry routes

There is no single route into airport finance, and that is part of its appeal. Dolphin’s own career spans buses, rail and aviation, reflecting a broader transport infrastructure focus.

‘I would describe my career path as unplanned, but it is clearly very transport-focused,’ he says, highlighting how experience across related sectors can build a strong foundation.

However, he is equally clear that such a background is not essential. Many professionals enter the sector from other industries, including retail, real estate, consulting or FMCG, bringing transferable skills in financial analysis, business partnering and commercial strategy.

Networking can play a significant role. As Dolphin notes, careers often evolve through connections within a sector, particularly at senior levels where movement between organisations is common.

Qualifications that support success

Professional qualifications such as ACCA are highly valued in airport finance. The breadth of the qualification, covering financial reporting, governance, strategy and performance management, aligns well with the sector’s complexity.

In addition, experience with large ERP systems, data analytics tools and project finance frameworks can enhance employability, particularly for roles linked to infrastructure investment.

Given the sector’s increasing focus on sustainability, knowledge of ESG reporting and climate-related financial risks is also becoming more relevant, as airports invest in decarbonisation and greener operations.

From finance to leadership

Career progression in airport finance can be both vertical and lateral. Professionals may advance through traditional finance roles to positions such as finance manager, head of finance or finance director.

At the same time, the sector’s cross-functional nature creates opportunities to move into broader business roles. Exposure to commercial negotiations, operational strategy and capital projects can pave the way for senior leadership positions beyond finance.

Dolphin highlights the value of breadth of experience, particularly in business partnering roles, where understanding how different parts of the organisation connect is essential to adding value.

Global reach

Airports sit at the heart of global connectivity, and careers in the sector often come with international exposure. Major airport groups operate across multiple regions, while the skills developed, from infrastructure finance to stakeholder management, are transferable across transport, real estate and large-scale project environments.

There is also a unique public dimension. As Dolphin notes, airports are highly visible businesses of which ‘everybody has a view’, from passengers to policymakers. This visibility can bring pressure, but it also adds a sense of impact and relevance to the work.