At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate crew travel, accommodation, and catering for military and civilian flights.
- Company: Join AirTanker, a key player in the UK's defence operations.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, bonuses, and adventure training opportunities.
- Other info: Gain hands-on experience in a regulated aviation setting with great career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on flight readiness and crew welfare in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong admin skills, excellent communication, and ability to manage priorities.
The predicted salary is between 24876 - 26901 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 5 May 2026
Department: Crew Scheduling
Employment Type: Permanent - Part Time
Location: Brize Norton
Compensation: £24,876 - £26,901 / year
Please note this is a part time opportunity for 18.5 hours a week - salary will be pro-rated.
We’re looking for a Crew HOTAC & Catering Assistant to join our Crew Travel & HOTAC team. This is a key operational role supporting both civilian and military flying programmes, ensuring flight crew travel, accommodation and onboard catering requirements are planned and delivered accurately, efficiently and in line with regulatory and company requirements. You’ll be a central point of contact for crew travel and accommodation (HOTAC), while also supporting the planning and coordination of catering and ancillary items for aircraft operations. This is a fast‑paced, detail‑focused role that requires strong organisation, clear communication and a collaborative approach.
Why AirTanker? AirTanker is a vital part of the UK’s defence capability, delivering air‑to‑air refuelling and air transport services to the RAF and MOD. We operate at the intersection of military precision and commercial innovation. As a Crew HOTAC & Catering Assistant, you will play a key role in supporting safe, compliant and efficient flying operations. By coordinating crew travel, accommodation and catering requirements, and working closely with Operations, external partners and military stakeholders, you will directly contribute to crew readiness, regulatory compliance and overall operational performance.
What's in it for you?
- Operational Exposure & Responsibility: Play a key role in supporting civilian and military flying programmes, with your planning and coordination of crew travel, accommodation and catering directly impacting flight readiness, crew welfare and on‑time performance.
- Development & Skill Building: Gain hands‑on experience across crew travel, HOTAC administration and inflight catering coordination within a regulated aviation environment, building strong operational, organisational and stakeholder‑management skills.
- Collaboration & Visibility: Work closely with Operations, external partners and military stakeholders, giving you broad exposure across the business and the opportunity to develop strong working relationships in a high‑profile operational setting.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Including private medical insurance, bonus scheme, EV scheme, contributory pension, and more.
- Adventure & Belonging: Battlefield tours, adventure training, and family fun days.
What you'll be doing:
- Act as a primary point of contact for crew HOTAC and travel arrangements, supporting the end‑to‑end process.
- Administer the HOTAC system, ensuring crew rosters, travel and accommodation data are accurate and up to date.
- Produce and distribute crew lists to relevant internal and external stakeholders, liaising with RAFLO, AARC and other partners as required.
- Work closely with operational teams to anticipate and plan HOTAC and travel requirements in advance.
- Maintain awareness of regulations relating to crew movement, including immigration and health requirements.
- Liaise with external customers and partners (e.g. ACMI providers) on travel and HOTAC processes.
- Source and book hotels and flights in line with budget constraints, regulations and contractual agreements.
- Support the planning, ordering and management of catering, beverages, stores and ancillary items for civilian and military aircraft.
- Liaise with Operations teams to manage day‑to‑day changes and effective handovers.
- Deliver on‑the‑job training to colleagues and complete associated training documentation.
- Operate in line with Safety Management, Quality and Environmental Management Systems at all times.
What you'll bring:
- Essential skills and experience:
- Strong administrative and computer literacy skills.
- Excellent communication and customer service capabilities.
- Good problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and meet tight deadlines.
- Proficient in written and spoken English.
- Able to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Desirable:
- Previous experience within an aviation or operational environment.
Crew Hotac and Catering Assistant employer: AirTanker Ltd
Contact Detail:
AirTanker Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Crew Hotac and Catering Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at AirTanker on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to crew travel and catering. We should also think of examples from our past experiences that showcase our organisational skills and ability to handle tight deadlines.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your communication skills! During interviews, be clear and concise. Remember, this role is all about collaboration, so let’s demonstrate how we can work well with others.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the AirTanker team.
We think you need these skills to ace Crew Hotac and Catering Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Crew HOTAC & Catering Assistant role. Highlight your relevant experience in administration, communication, and problem-solving, as these are key skills we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Organisational Skills: Since this role is all about planning and coordination, give examples of how you've successfully managed competing priorities in the past. We want to see that you can keep things running smoothly under pressure!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to demonstrate your understanding of the role and how you can contribute to our team at AirTanker.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with AirTanker.
How to prepare for a job interview at AirTanker Ltd
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Crew HOTAC & Catering Assistant role. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as managing crew travel and catering requirements. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Since this role requires strong organisational abilities, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects. Be ready to discuss how you prioritised competing demands and met tight deadlines, as this will highlight your suitability for the fast-paced environment.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Effective communication is crucial in this role, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly. During the interview, ensure you listen carefully to questions and respond thoughtfully. You might even want to prepare a few questions of your own to ask about the team dynamics and collaboration with external partners.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you resolved them. This could involve dealing with unexpected changes in travel plans or coordinating catering under pressure. Highlighting your problem-solving skills will show that you can handle the demands of the job effectively.