Aircraft cargo operations coordinator
Also known as: co-ordinator of aircraft cargo operations, aircraft cargo operations and ramp services coordinator, air freight operations officer, air freight coordinator, coordinator of aircraft cargo operations, air cargo traffic officer
About this occupation
Aircraft cargo operations coordinators direct and coordinate air transport terminal cargo and ramp activities. They review data on incoming flights as to plan the working activities. They direct preparation of loading plans for each departing flight and confer with supervisory personnel to ensure workers and equipment are available for air cargo and baggage loading, unloading, and handling activities.
Essential skills and knowledge
- cargo industry
- warehouse operations
- identify airport safety hazards
- work in an aviation team
- carry out navigational calculations
- make numerical calculations
- create solutions to problems
- supervise loading of cargo
- aircraft cargo capacity
- ensure public safety and security
- manage warehouse operations
- apply company policies
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors (O*NET 53-1041.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Determine the quantity and orientation of cargo, and compute an aircraft's center of gravity.
- Direct ground crews in the loading, unloading, securing, or staging of aircraft cargo or baggage.
- Train new employees in areas such as safety procedures or equipment operation.
- Distribute cargo to maximize use of space.
- Calculate load weights for different aircraft compartments, using charts and computers.
- Accompany aircraft as a member of the flight crew to monitor and handle cargo in flight.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Realistic
Top skills: Critical Thinking, Management of Personnel Resources, Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring, Time Management
US median pay: US$58,170 a year (2025), 9,760 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.3)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (3.8)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.5)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.4)
- GeographyO*NET: GeographyImportant (3.2)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators
- Airfield Operations Specialists
- Transportation Inspectors
- First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants
- First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
- Cargo and Freight Agents
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.