What it does: It provides both domestic and international flights and the serving airlines including American, Air Canada, Delta, Southwest, and Aer Lingus.
Mission: to make it the airport of choice in the region.
Size and presence: Bradley International Airport covers around 2,432 acres and has two asphalt runways. It is one of the only 68 airports across the world that can accommodate the A380. BDL has 122 DOT positions and the majority of them are located at the airport while the management and administrative staff are at its headquarters in Newington.
Best known for: being the second-largest airport in New England and getting recognition as a top-ten airport for the fifth consecutive year in the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
The good bits: BDL is the biggest international airport in Connecticut with a passenger count of over 32,78035. Being one of the largest and busiest airports in the area, it provides many job opportunities to both experienced professionals and interns.
The not-so-good bits: BDL is one of the busiest airports in the USA which means the employees are expected to be attentive all the time. Moreover, getting a job at an airport means that the candidates will need to have technical skills and be prepared for an intensive selection process.
Bradley International Airport or BDL is a public International airport and it is the second-largest airport in New England. It is owned and operated by the Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) and is located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. It is one of the busiest commercial airports in the area and the second-busiest in New England with over 6.75 million passengers in 2019.
Talking about BDL’s history, it has its roots in the acquisition of 1,700 acres of land in Windsor Locks by the state of Connecticut in 1940. This land was given to the U.S. army in 1941 as they needed to prepare for the impending war. That is the reason that the airfield was named after Lt. Eugene M. Bradley who died in a crash of a P-40 during a dogfight training drill in 1941. The civil use of the airfield began in 1947 and it was named Bradley International Airport.
BDL’s main passenger airlines include Air Canada Express, American Airlines, American Eagle, Breeze Airways, Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, and United Express.
The cargo airlines of BDL include Amazon Air, FedEx Express, DHL Aviation, Wiggins Airways, and UPS Airlines. It is also involved in military operations which include Connecticut Air National Guard, Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Connecticut Wing Civil Air Patrol.
The work environment at BDL is quite demanding as the airport is one of the largest and busiest in the area. However, it allows the entire staff to learn new things and explore growth opportunities. The airport maintains a professional yet friendly work environment where all employees are encouraged to do their best and focus on customer service.
As the Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) owns and operated Bradley International Airport, the only method to apply for a job position is through their official website or the State of Connecticut JobApps applicant system.
CAA invites qualified candidates to apply for the job roles at BDL and the applicants must be able to successfully undergo a thorough selection process along with background and security screening. The process starts with submitting an online application followed by an interview and tests.
The number of interviews and tests may depend on the type of job and its level of complexity.
BDL offers many career opportunities to interested candidates as it often looks to add new talent to the team. The management prefers individuals who are self-motivated with a focus on customer service. However, they must have the skills and experience to apply for any position with BDL.
Candidates looking for a challenging and fulfilling job can explore different options available with BDL. It provides equal opportunities to women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. Jobs are available for people with different educational backgrounds and skillset.
Bradley International Airport pays an average estimated hourly rate of $2,073 and it may range from a low of $1,788 to a high of $2,397. This is just an estimation as the individual pay scales may vary depending on the job, skills, and location.
Some decent-paid job roles include Aircraft Maintenance Technician, General Manager, Safety Specialist, Accounting Clerk, Maintenance Trainer, and more.
Being an airport, BDL facilitates trade and tourism which generates economic growth and provides jobs. It also fosters the conservation of protected areas while increasing revenues from taxes. The CAA conducts the environmental assessment before any project to make sure no surrounding areas are compromised due to airport operations.
Trees located near runway ends or small hills surrounding the airport are the biggest concern for any airport. The CAA reviews the potential impacts of tree removal before taking any final decision. Furthermore, the airport helps local communities by generating employment and providing internship programs to the students.
BDL was under the radar when the agency that oversees the airport revealed a few hints on a possible name change for Connecticut’s largest airport.