Airport Baggage Handler

Typical Salary

£15,000 To £20,000

Typical Hours

44 to 46 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How To Become a Airport Baggage Handler

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
applying directly

College / University

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant courses include the Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Aviation Environment.

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

Apprenticeship

You could train for this role through an intermediate apprenticeship as a aviation ground operative.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

There are no specific entry requirements but some employers may prefer you to have a few GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), particularly in maths and English.

Experience of warehouse work and an LGV (Large Goods Vehicle) or forklift truck licence could be helpful when applying directly for this role.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

customer service skills
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
the ability to work well with others
sensitivity and understanding
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
excellent verbal communication skills
the ability to work on your own
a desire to help people
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day tasks could include:

transferring luggage from check-in areas to departure areas
making sure luggage gets onto the right plane
moving luggage to and from aircraft holds using trucks, cargo loaders and conveyor systems
storing cargo in warehouses
loading luggage onto conveyors in the arrivals hall
reporting baggage that's damaged or suspicious

Working Environment

You could work on an aircraft, at an airport or in a warehouse.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.

Career Path & Progression

With experience, you could work as a 'lead ramp hand', lining up planes ready for the next flight. You could also train staff on equipment and procedures.

You could move into supervisory management or passenger handling operations.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Career tips

Seasonal work may be available, with large increases in the number of travellers in busy holiday periods.

Jobs may be advertised on the websites of airport authorities and agencies, recruitment agencies and in local newspapers.

Further information

You can find out more about working as a baggage handler from Careers That Move.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

pass security checks
be over 18 years of age
pass a medical check
pass enhanced background checks

You may need your own transport to get to and from the airport, as public transport may not cover all of your shift times. Some jobs ask for a full UK driving licence.