The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is one of the most sought-after Public Sector Enterprises for job seekers in engineering, finance, law, IT, and airport operations. With a fresh notification for hundreds of Manager and Junior Executive posts, along with upcoming openings for Junior Assistant, ATC, and Apprentice roles, AAI Recruitment 2026 has become one of the biggest government hiring drives of the year. This guide covers everything candidates need to know — vacancy details, eligibility, exam pattern, salary, application fee, and the step-by-step process to apply online.
What Is AAI Recruitment 2026?
The Airports Authority of India is a statutory body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, holding Mini Ratna Category-I status. AAI is responsible for developing, upgrading, maintaining, and managing civil aviation infrastructure across the country, including airports, air traffic control, and navigation systems. Every year, AAI releases recruitment notifications for a range of technical, managerial, and support-level posts, making it a reliable employer for candidates from diverse academic backgrounds — including engineering, finance, law, IT, operations, and fire services.
For 2026, AAI has already released one of its largest notifications in recent years, along with several more vacancies expected later in the year.
AAI Recruitment 2026: Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Advertisement Number | 12/2026/CHQ/DR-CBT |
| Posts | Manager and Junior Executive (multiple disciplines) |
| Total Vacancies | 389 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 8 August 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 7 September 2026 |
| Selection Process | CBT, Document Verification, PMT/PET (where applicable), Interview |
| Official Website | www.aai.aero |
AAI Recruitment 2026: 389 Manager and Junior Executive Vacancies
The Airports Authority of India released its official notification on 22 July 2026 for the direct recruitment of Manager and Junior Executive posts across 15 different post codes — 11 at the Manager level and 4 at the Junior Executive level. The online application process began on 8 August 2026 and will remain open until 7 September 2026 through the official AAI careers portal.
This recruitment spans several disciplines, including:
- Engineering (Civil and Electrical)
- Finance
- Information Technology
- Law
- Operations
- Commercial
- Fire Services
- Architecture
The highest number of vacancies has been announced for Manager (Engineering-Civil) and Junior Executive (Operations), making this an excellent opportunity for engineering and management graduates seeking a stable career in the aviation infrastructure sector.
AAI Eligibility Criteria 2026
Educational Qualification
Educational qualification requirements vary by discipline and post level:
- Engineering (Civil/Electrical): B.E./B.Tech degree in the relevant discipline
- Finance: MBA (Finance), PGDM (Finance), CA, CMA, or CFA
- Information Technology: B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science, IT, or Electronics, or an MCA degree
- Law: A professional degree in Law (LLB)
- Manager-level posts: Generally require the relevant degree or professional qualification along with around five years of post-qualification executive experience
Candidates are strongly advised to check the exact qualification and experience requirements for their specific post code in the official notification PDF, as these vary from post to post.
Age Limit
- Manager posts: Maximum age of 32 years as on 7 September 2026
- Junior Executive posts: Maximum age of 27 years as on 7 September 2026
Age relaxation is applicable for reserved category candidates (SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen) as per Government of India norms. Candidates should verify the precise relaxation clauses in the official advertisement.
Nationality
Only Indian nationals are eligible to apply for AAI Recruitment 2026.
AAI Salary 2026: Pay Scale and In-Hand Benefits
AAI offers a competitive salary structure under the IDA (Industrial Dearness Allowance) pay scale:
- Manager: Pay scale of approximately Rs. 60,000 – 3% – Rs. 1,80,000, translating to an estimated annual package of around Rs. 21 lakh per annum
- Junior Executive: Pay scale of approximately Rs. 40,000 – 3% – Rs. 1,40,000, translating to an estimated annual package of around Rs. 14 lakh per annum
In addition to basic pay, selected candidates are entitled to Dearness Allowance (DA), perks of up to 35% of basic pay, House Rent Allowance (HRA), Contributory Provident Fund (CPF), gratuity, medical benefits, and other allowances as per AAI service rules.
AAI Application Fee 2026
- The application fee is Rs. 1,000 (inclusive of GST) per post
- SC, ST, PwBD, Women, and Apprentice candidates are exempted from the application fee
- Candidates applying for multiple posts must submit separate applications and pay the fee separately for each post
- Fee payment must be completed online through the payment gateway available on the AAI careers portal
AAI Selection Process 2026
Selection for Manager and Junior Executive posts is based on merit and typically involves the following stages:
- Computer-Based Test (CBT): An objective-type online examination assessing discipline knowledge and general aptitude. There is no negative marking for wrong answers.
- Document Verification (DV): Verification of original certificates, marksheets, and category documents.
- Physical Measurement and Endurance Test (PMT/PET): Applicable specifically for Fire Services and certain operational posts.
- Driving Test: Required for select Fire Services positions.
- Interview (Viva-Voce): Conducted for Manager-level posts as the final stage before selection.
Final selection is based on the merit list prepared using CBT scores, along with interview performance for applicable posts.
How to Apply for AAI Recruitment 2026 (Step-by-Step)
- Visit the official AAI website: www.aai.aero
- Navigate to the “Careers” or “Recruitment” section on the homepage
- Locate and click on the notification link for “AAI Junior Executive & Manager Recruitment 2026”
- Complete the new candidate registration using a valid email ID and mobile number
- Fill in the online application form with personal, educational, and category details
- Upload scanned copies of the required documents, including photograph and signature, as per specifications
- Pay the applicable application fee online (if not exempted)
- Review the form carefully and submit it before the last date
- Download and save a copy of the confirmation page for future reference
Documents to Keep Ready
Before starting the application, candidates should keep the following documents scanned and ready:
- Recent passport-size photograph and signature
- Educational qualification certificates and mark sheets
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS, if applicable)
- PwBD certificate (if applicable)
- Experience certificates (for posts requiring work experience)
- A valid government-issued ID proof
Other Upcoming AAI Vacancies in 2026
Apart from the 389 Manager and Junior Executive posts, AAI is expected to release additional notifications during 2026, including:
- AAI ATC (Junior Executive – Air Traffic Control): Around 400+ vacancies are expected, with the notification tentatively anticipated in the coming months.
- Junior Assistant: Over 100 vacancies are expected for candidates aged between 18 and 30 years.
- Apprentice Recruitment: Around 200+ vacancies expected, with selection based on merit and an upper age limit of 27 years.
Candidates interested in these roles should regularly check the official AAI website for updates, as exact dates and vacancy numbers are subject to confirmation by the authority.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the total number of vacancies in AAI Recruitment 2026? There are 389 vacancies across 15 post codes for Manager and Junior Executive positions in the current notification.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for AAI Recruitment 2026? The online application window closes on 7 September 2026.
Q3. What is the age limit for AAI Recruitment 2026? The maximum age is 32 years for Manager posts and 27 years for Junior Executive posts, calculated as on 7 September 2026, with relaxation applicable for reserved categories.
Q4. Is there negative marking in the AAI Computer Based Test? No, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers in the CBT.
Q5. Can candidates apply for more than one post in AAI Recruitment 2026? Yes, candidates may apply for multiple posts, but each application requires separate registration and separate fee payment, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for each post.
Q6. What is the application fee for AAI Recruitment 2026? The fee is Rs. 1,000 (inclusive of GST) per post. SC, ST, PwBD, Women, and Apprentice candidates are exempted from paying the fee.
Q7. Where can candidates apply for AAI Recruitment 2026? Applications must be submitted online through the official AAI website at www.aai.aero.