Below is a quick snapshot of AAI recruitment in 2026 — posts, pay scales, exam routes and what you need to apply — followed by the full details.

Figures are the starting basic pay of AAI’s public sector pay scales (IDA pattern), not total salary. Dearness allowance, HRA, perks and other allowances are added, so in-hand pay in a metro is noticeably higher. Confirm the exact pay scale and allowances in the official AAI notification and your appointment letter before joining.

Each AAI post has its own qualification, selection method and pay scale:

AAI posts you to an airport or regional office anywhere in India. A single new employee’s typical monthly costs in a metro posting:

Many airports have AAI staff colonies where quarters are allotted as per rules; if you do not get a quarter, HRA is paid with your salary. Shift staff often get transport for night duty.

• Give take-off, landing and en-route clearances to aircraft from the tower and area control centres (Junior Executive ATC).
• Maintain radar, navigation aids, instrument landing systems and communication equipment at airports (electronics staff).
• Plan, build and look after runways, terminals and airport power systems (civil and electrical engineering staff).
• Run airport fire and rescue vehicles and respond to aircraft emergencies (fire service staff).
• Handle airport operations, terminal management, land and commercial work (common cadre staff).
• Manage accounts, bills, payroll and audits at regional and airport offices (finance and accounts staff).
• Keep records, file work and official correspondence moving in airport and regional offices (office assistants).

AAI has a fixed promotion ladder — officers move up through E-grades with service and departmental rules:

Every AAI notification lists its own rules for each post. The common checklist looks like this:

• Aadhaar card and a valid photo ID.
• 10th and 12th marksheets for date of birth and education proof.
• Degree or diploma certificate with all semester marksheets.
• GATE scorecard, for Junior Executive posts filled through GATE.
• Caste, EWS or PwBD certificate in the official format, if applicable.
• Heavy vehicle driving licence, for Junior Assistant (Fire Service).
• Recent passport-size photo and a scanned signature in the size the form asks for.

• Applying for a GATE-based post without a valid GATE score in the right paper.
• Waiting for the last day of the online form and missing the deadline.
• Uploading a photo or signature that does not meet the notification’s size rules.
• Ignoring the ATC voice test and English practice until after the written exam.
• Trusting anyone who claims to “know someone” in AAI and asks for money.

• Why do you want to join the Airports Authority of India?
• What does AAI do, and how is it different from a private airport operator?
• For ATC: how would you manage two aircraft asking for the same runway at once?
• Are you ready to be posted to any airport or region in India?
• Which subjects from your degree will help you in this post?

AAI recruitment gives graduates, diploma and 12th pass candidates a permanent public sector career at airports and air navigation centres across India. Prepare for GATE or the AAI online exam, apply only on the official portal, and never pay anyone for a job.