If you ask Jamie Whyte what a typical day as a coordinator looks like, the first thing he’ll tell you is that no two days are ever quite the same.
Working closely with airports and airlines, coordinators sit at the centre of a constantly evolving aviation landscape, balancing demand, capacity and operational requirements to help make the most effective use of airport infrastructure.
“It’s still very much a demand-based role,” Jamie explains. “You’re looking at capacity, understanding demand and working out how everything fits together.”
A typical day can involve analysing schedules, reviewing requests, communicating with stakeholders and responding to changing operational needs. It requires a mix of analytical thinking, problem-solving and relationship management, as coordinators work with multiple parties to understand constraints and identify solutions.
For Jamie, one of the most rewarding aspects of the role is the variety.
“There’s so much to learn. Aviation is such a huge industry with so many different fields and specialisms. You’re constantly learning about something new.”
That exposure provides a unique perspective on the industry. Coordinators work with airports of different sizes, airlines with varying operational requirements and regulatory frameworks that continue to evolve, making every day a learning opportunity. The role also offers a level of flexibility that Jamie values highly.
“In my previous role, I spent much more time in the office. The flexibility here is huge for me. I can plan my time around travel and work in a way that really suits me.”
Despite playing an important role within the aviation ecosystem, coordination remains a career path many people have never heard of.
“I think a lot of people don’t realise that coordinators exist. I didn’t either.”
Yet the skills developed in coordination can open the door to a wide range of opportunities across the industry.
“The good thing about coordination, and with ACL being such a well-known company in our field, is that it opens a lot of different opportunities.”
Former coordinators have gone on to careers in airline scheduling, airport capacity management and business development, taking with them a deep understanding of how different parts of the aviation industry work together.
For anyone considering a career in coordination, Jamie recommends gaining exposure to aviation wherever possible.
“Try and get some experience in aviation, even if it’s minimal. There are so many acronyms, so much jargon and so many different areas of the industry to understand. Getting a foot in the door somewhere gives you a good foundation.”
For Jamie, that’s what makes the role so interesting. It’s a career that combines analysis, collaboration and continuous learning, while offering a front-row seat to the challenges and opportunities that shape global aviation every day.
