Job Description
JOB SUMMARY
- The Head of Network Planning & Scheduling is responsible for developing, optimizing, and executing Air Peace's route network and flight schedules across domestic, regional, and international markets.
- The role ensures that all network decisions are strategically aligned with the airline's commercial objectives, fleet growth, operational constraints, and profitability targets.
- This position plays a central role in expanding Air Peace into new markets, including long-haul destinations and in building a competitive, sustainable route network that maximizes revenue, market share, aircraft utilization, and customer connectivity.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Network Strategy and Route Development
- Lead the development of Air Peace's medium- and long-term network strategy across domestic, regional, and international markets.
- Conduct route feasibility studies, traffic demand forecasting, yield and revenue analysis, and competitive assessments.
- Recommend new market entries, frequency increases, route terminations, and aircraft deployment strategies.
- Build country-by-country business cases for bilateral negotiations and traffic rights expansion.
- Analyze hub-development strategies for Lagos and Abuja, including connectivity, minimum connecting times (MCT), bank structures, and wave planning.
Scheduling & Fleet Assignment
- Design and publish optimized flight schedules that maximize network profitability, fleet utilization, and operational reliability.
- Ensure alignment between schedules and crew, aircraft maintenance, airport slot availability, and regulatory constraints.
- Lead slot management strategy for constrained airports (Heathrow,Gatwick, Dubai, JNB, etc.).
- Oversee seasonal schedule development (S23/W23 etc.) and ensure timely submission to OAG, GDSS, and regulatory authorities.
- Coordinate with OCC to ensure schedule robustness and disruption tolerance.
Commercial Performance & Revenue Optimization
- Collaborate with Revenue Management to evaluate route profitability and adjust frequencies, timings, and capacity deployment.
- Develop and monitor KPIs related to network performance (RASK, CASK, LF, aircraft utilization, connection performance, on-time departure windows).
- Work closely with Sales, Marketing, and Distribution to understand market demand and improve connectivity-driven revenues.
Industry Relations & Regulatory Engagement
- Liaise with Civil Aviation Authorities, airport operators, slot coordinators, and international aviation bodies (IATA, AFCAC, ICAO) on network matters.
- Support government-level BASA negotiations with data, analysis, and market positioning strategies.
- Manage all coordination with airport slot committees, scheduling conferences, and regulatory forums.cross-Functional Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop the Network Planning & Scheduling team, ensuring high analytical capability and strong industry knowledge.
- Work seamlessly with Operations, Finance, Corporate Planning, Engineering, and Commercial units to ensure network decisions are well-informed andaligned.
- Drive data-driven decision-making within the Commercial Department.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, Marketing, Sales, or related discipline.
- Master's degree (MBA or similar) will be an advantage.
- Minimum 7—10 years aviation industry experience with at least 5 years in Airline Network Planning, Scheduling, or Fleet Planning.
- Demonstrated experience with route forecasting, scheduling tools (Sabre,
- Amadeus, Lufthansa Netline, AIMS, CAE), and industry data sources (MIDT, Diio, IATA DDS, SRS Analyzer).
- Proven track record in developing new routes and improving network profitability.
- Strong analytical and modelling skills (Excel, SQL, power Bl, or similar).
- Deep understanding of airline economics, CASK/RASK, demand forecasting, and market development.
- Knowledge of airport slot rules (IATA WSG), aircraft performance, and operational limitations.
- Strong leadership and people-management skills.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder-management ability.
- Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen and capacity to drive complex cross-functional decisions.
- High resilience, attention to detail, and ability to perform under pressure.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
- 100% Network profitability improvement (route contribution, RASK uplift).
- 100% Aircraft utilization enhancement.
- 100% On-time schedule delivery and regulatory compliance.
- 50% Growth in connecting traffic and network connectivity metrics.
- Accurate and timely forecasting and quarterly market analysis.
- Yearly successful launch of new routes and network expansion milestones.
- 100% slot retention and yearly acquisition in constrained airports.