A recruitment drive is underway at the Department of Airport Operations.

The posts ? which were vacant either due to retirement, promotion or restructuring ? include a Computer Aided Design Support Technician, a Superintendent for Airfield Construction, a Superintendent of Technical Services, an Aviation Marketing Officer and a Terminals Officer.

Airport General Manager James Howes said that the need to fill the posts is also a result of the growth within the department and addressing the ?ever changing dynamic in the air travel industry particularly due to the stringent security procedures implemented following the events of September 11?.

?When the Department was established in 1995, the emphasis was on ensuring a smooth operational transition from a facility managed by the United States Navy to a civilian authority.

?The transition has been extremely successful, however, the department has evolved in a number of different areas. One of the key changes has been the requirement to develop revenue-generating sources to provide goods and services to the entire airport community.

?This initiative has resulted in 1995 revenue levels more than doubling in 2003. The development of effective non-aviation revenue streams such as restaurants, bars and duty free goods, means that increased costs are not being borne entirely by the airlines.?

He added that while some aviation knowledge and experience for the posts are necessary, they are not essential.

The closing date for applications is January 21 and interested persons meeting the basic academic and employment requirements are asked to pick up an application form from the Department of Human Resources, on the third floor of Global House, Church Street, Hamilton.