Head of Network Planning & Scheduling at Air Peace

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.