Role Objective: -

The Network and Fleet Planning Function Head at Oman Air will report directly to the Strategy, Network, and Partnerships VP and will be responsible to define and deliver the 5-year Network Plan and the Fleet Strategy. This role is instrumental in shaping Oman Air’s network strategy and optimizing the fleet to support Oman Air's new direction. The Network and Fleet Planning Function Head will also be accountable for executing both strategies with an emphasis on key activities such as route planning/modelling, fleet size and composition assessment, route scheduling, route incentivization scheme, aircraft sourcing and mix of leasing vs. purchasing, financing sources and seat configuration. Furthermore, this Function Head will need to ensure alignment across workstream interdependencies (i.e., flight operations, etc.) and manage all external stakeholders such as OEMs and lessors to continuously explore opportunities and maintain competitiveness.

Area of responsibility: -

Network Planning:

1.Lead the definition of the 5-year network and fleet plan, including: Domestic, short-, medium- and long-haul network routes modeling, optimal fleet size and composition informed by the type of destinations and passenger demand to be served, schedules of the routes to maximize revenue and overall route profitability, and passenger traffic per route

2.Ensure periodic review of the airline’s network including capacity offered, flight routing, on-line and day and time of departure vis-à-vis the competitors' product and recommend appropriate changes in order to retain and increase market share, yield and load factor

3.Support definition of a route incentivization scheme as required, mainly for long-haul destinations, supported by OIA

4.Oversee the creation of a proposal for government to incentivize operations of key long-haul routes, informed by the strategic importance of key routes

5.Optimize and automate route profitability processes to facilitate real-time reporting and inform decision making on route network

6.Manage the airlines portfolio of airport slots and strategies for acquisition of new slots and general improvement of slots portfolio

7.Apply best practices to audit/monitor the performance of existing and new routes comparing actual performance against the airline’s plan (e.g., exploring growing destinations to Asia such as Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Laos and Jaipur)

8.Advise Muscat airport authorities of the network and fleet planning changes of the airline (e.g. aircraft contact gates, passenger and baggage throughputs, flight timings, scheduled turnaround times, etc.) to ensure that the required airport facilities are provided

9.Lead the Network Planning team, facilitating an open exchange of ideas and fostering an atmosphere of open communication, collaboration and teamwork

Fleet Planning:

1.Lead, manage and define fleet strategy based on defined route network plan, and take into consideration latest developments in technology and industry best practices

2.Determine the fleet size, types of aircraft as well as the aircraft source and financing strategy in line with Oman Air’s new direction. This will include defining the fleet size and optimal mix of aircraft, sourcing aircraft, managing the fleet deployment timeline, negotiating with OEMs, determining mix of leasing vs. purchasing, identifying financing sources, providing recommendation and guidance on cabin design and fit-out

3.Manage the assessment of the requirements for Oman Air to optimize certain fleet configurations and refurbishment requirement including developing necessary business cases to assess the way forward with regards to existing and order book aircraft

4.Maintain relationships with OEMs, lessors and other specialized providers

5.Oversee the review of purchase orders, vendor agreements and templates for aircraft acquisition/disposal

6.Provide guidance and approval on short-, medium- and long-term fleet strategy

7.Align cross department interdependencies with other Oman Air departments (e.g., operations, product, etc.) to ensure overall service effectiveness and appropriate timeliness

8.Prepare updates/business plans and other decision models as required, per the direction of the Strategy, Network and Partnerships VP

9.Prepare and present monthly, quarterly and annual updates as required to monitor and evaluate performance

10.Coordinate with financial departments to ensure availability of required financing and funding sources to meet the needs for the network and fleet planning activities

11.Provide relevant and frequent updates to product development department in order to ensure aircraft configurations, aircraft technology and digital products, branding, etc., are planned and developed in line with commercial objectives

12.Lead, incentivize and motivate a team that is able and driven to support the transformation of Oman Air

13.Any other tasks assigned by management

Education & Experience: -

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or business discipline (mandatory) with post graduate studies in Business Management / Statistics/ Economics (preferable) with 10-12+ years of experience in aviation industry with minimum of 4 years commercial experience in a senior managerial role in Planning/Scheduling

Ideal Experience:

Prior experience as a manager/senior manager of an airline’s network and fleet planning department of an airline

Experience working with high-performing teams with complex program execution

Ability to work with key stakeholders and external partners through teamwork in a non-hierarchical relationship framework

Prior relationships with OEMs, lessors and other specialized providers including vendor negotiation experience

Familiarity with domestic and regional aviation market and context, in addition to global experience (experience working in the Middle East region is a plus)

Special Skills & Knowledge: -

Demonstrated experience and familiarity with airline commercials, operational, technical and financial issues including topics such as aircraft models and specifications, vendor negotiations, team building and performance management

Expert level proficiency in Sabre PE/Schedule Manager, MS Excel, SQL/SAS, or comparable

Self-starter, entrepreneurial mindset with experience in developing and implementing disruptive and innovative network and fleet strategies/plans

Ability to work with key stakeholders and external partners/advisors through collaboration and teamwork in a transformational setting

Strong technical competence in fleet acquisition and purchasing with knowledge of aircraft available in the market

Outstanding interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, to instill target culture and values across organization by motivating and encouraging staff

Proficiency in English (must) and Arabic (preferred)