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Air traffic manager

Also called air traffic supervisor, flight control manager, air navigation manager

Air traffic managers coordinate the planning of ground control, the maintenance of the aircrafts, and the handling of customers. They strive for the most efficient use of resources in directing the aircraft. They manage safety, quality, and risks in everyday work. They also plan and compare performance with other air navigation service providers.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects57 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Production and specialized services managersWhat does it pay?Well above averageFrom about €3,000 (Bulgaria) to €11,300 (Italy) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Production and specialized services managersWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree6 in 10 have a degree.Production and specialized services managersWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Supply, distribution and related managers · ILO

What you'd do

Supply, distribution and related managers · ILO
  • Determining, implementing and monitoring purchasing, storage and distribution strategies, policies and plans
  • Preparing and implementing plans to maintain required stock levels at minimum cost
  • Negotiating contracts with suppliers to meet quality, cost and delivery requirements
  • Monitoring and reviewing storage and inventory systems to meet supply requirements and control stock levels
  • Overseeing the dispatch of road vehicles, trains, vessels or aircraft
  • Operating recording systems to track all movements of goods, and ensuring reordering and restocking at optimal times
  • Liaising with other departments and customers concerning requirements for outward goods and associated forwarding transportation
  • Overseeing the recording of purchase, storage and distribution transactions
  • Establishing and managing budgets, controlling expenditure and ensuring the efficient use of resources
  • Establishing and directing operational and administrative procedures
  • Planning and directing daily operations
  • Overseeing the selection, training and performance of staff
Perform risk analysisManage aeronautical information management servicesManage air navigation servicesTrain staff in navigational requirementsEnsure safety in international aviation+ 4 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • Sitting most of the day
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines now and then
  • Very repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the similar US job "Air Traffic Controllers"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as production and specialized services managers in the EU
3.46m3.53m4.8m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
1,045,000 new jobs 1,100,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Production and specialized services managers57
All jobs29
Right now
4 of 27 countries report a shortage of supply, distribution and related managers, 8 a surplus.
Supply, distribution and related managers · EURES

What does it pay?

Well above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €3,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €11,300 (Italy), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among managers in the EU, women earn 27% less per hour than men. Managers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in transport services is the usual route.

Highest qualification of production and specialized services managers (EU, 2025)
Degree 63%Vocational 22%General secondary 8%Basic schooling 7%
Field that teaches it
Transport services
Vocational route, EU
8 in 10 trainees in this field
Services graduates in a matching job
59% in the EU

819 institutions in the EU offer services bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.38 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 12 tasks
Overseeing the recording of purchase, storage and distribution transactions0.46
Monitoring and reviewing storage and inventory systems to meet supply requirements and control stock levels0.45
Determining, implementing and monitoring purchasing, storage and distribution strategies, policies and plans0.44
Liaising with other departments and customers concerning requirements for outward goods and associated forwarding transportation0.43
Preparing and implementing plans to maintain required stock levels at minimum cost0.41
Establishing and managing budgets, controlling expenditure and ensuring the efficient use of resources0.39
Establishing and directing operational and administrative procedures0.37
Overseeing the dispatch of road vehicles, trains, vessels or aircraft0.37
Operating recording systems to track all movements of goods, and ensuring reordering and restocking at optimal times0.35
Planning and directing daily operations0.33
Overseeing the selection, training and performance of staff0.32
Negotiating contracts with suppliers to meet quality, cost and delivery requirements0.32

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for supply, distribution and related managers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).