innovating the Future of Airport Hospitality

About Us

Airport Hospitality Academy (AHA) is a first-of-its-kind training and certification program designed to transform the airport concessions and retail workforce.

Our mission is simple:
Elevate the airport experience by turning jobs into careers.

Airports are the first and last impression travelers have of a city — and the people working there shape that experience. But high turnover and limited career growth have long been challenges. AHA changes that by providing:

  • A structured 5-level certification pathway

  • Training rooted in cultural values and operational excellence

  • Real career advancement opportunities for front-line employees

We partner with concessionaires, airport authorities, and community organizations to build a more professional, empowered, and future-ready workforce.

Business fair or conference event with people in formal attire, some engaged in conversations, and a woman in a gray suit handshaking with a man at a registration table with a QR code sign.

 FAQs

  • The Airport Hospitality Academy (AHA) is a professional certification and workforce development program built specifically for airport concessions and retail employees. We help turn high-turnover jobs into sustainable careers.

  • AHA is open to:

    • Front-line airport employees in concessions and retail

    • Concessionaires/operators seeking better training and retention tools

    • Community partners and workforce organizations helping people find career paths in hospitality

  • For Concessionaires & Operators:

    • Reduced turnover and lower hiring costs

    • Faster, more consistent training

    • Enhanced guest satisfaction and brand loyalty

    • A competitive edge in airport RFPs

    • Access to a trained talent pipeline

    For Airports & Authorities:

    • Improved passenger experience (impacting J.D. Power/ASQ scores)

    • Stronger community engagement and local hiring

    • Support for DEI and workforce development goals

    • Positioning as an innovator in airport service excellence

  • AHA offers a structured, five-level certification pathway that transforms an entry-level position into a viable, long-term career in airport hospitality. Each level blends Cultural Foundations and Operational Foundations to create well-rounded, service-oriented professionals.

    Cultural Foundations

    • The Servant’s Heart

    • Excellence

    • Integrity

    • Work Ethic

    Operational Foundations

    • People

    • Product

    • Facility

    • Financials

    5 Certification Levels

    • 1-Star: Onboarding & Basics
      Focuses on initial orientation, workplace expectations, and core service values.

    • 2-Star: Core Service & Operations
      Builds essential guest service and operational skills to improve performance and confidence.

    • 3-Star: Leadership Readiness
      Prepares employees for leadership responsibilities, cross-training, and multi-unit exposure.

    • 4-Star: Assistant General Manager (AGM) Preparation
      Equips future leaders with advanced skills in team management, operations, and communication.

    • 5-Star: Airport General Manager (GM) Certification
      The pinnacle of the program — full leadership development for top-level airport operations and business management.

    Each certification level is designed to support career progression while boosting employer outcomes like retention, training efficiency, and guest satisfaction.

  • We partner with local nonprofits, workforce boards, and schools to connect underrepresented populations, veterans, and young people with career opportunities at the airport — driving economic development from the ground up.

  • A man with glasses and a beard is standing and pointing at a whiteboard or screen in a classroom or training room, with several people sitting at desks working on computers in the background.

    Mission

    To equip individuals with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to thrive in the airport and aviation industry through high-quality training, workforce development, and career readiness programs.

  • A group of diverse students sitting in a classroom, smiling and engaging, with notebooks, tablets, and a laptop on their desks.

    Vision

    To be the nation’s leading pipeline for diverse, job-ready talent in airport hospitality and operations—shaping the future of aviation through excellence, equity, and opportunity.

  • Group of diverse young people standing in a circle with hands stacked together in the center, smiling and looking up.

    Values

    Excellence, Opportunity, Integrity, Inclusion, and Service—guide everything we do, from hands-on training to preparing diverse talent for meaningful careers in airport hospitality and operations.