Director of Network and Airline Partnerships

The Director of Network and Airline Partnerships is responsible for leading the development and execution of the airline’s network strategy, including route planning, schedule optimization, network performance, and airline partnerships. The role evaluates market opportunities, competitive activity, operational requirements, and financial performance to build a profitable and sustainable network. It also leads strategic partnerships with Saudia and other airlines, while overseeing relevant government and bilateral aviation relations. Key Responsibilities - Develop and implement the airline’s long-term network strategy in alignment with its commercial and operational objectives. - Lead route planning, network development, and schedule optimization to improve profitability, connectivity, and aircraft utilization. - Assess existing and potential routes, recommending route launches, frequency adjustments, seasonal changes, or withdrawals. - Conduct market and competitor analysis to identify network opportunities, commercial risks, and emerging industry trends. - Develop traffic, revenue, and profitability forecasts to support network planning and scheduling decisions. - Create and maintain flight schedules that balance commercial demand with aircraft, crew, airport, and operational constraints. - Identify and evaluate airport slots required to support network growth and schedule performance. - Monitor route and network performance against agreed KPIs, financial targets, and business plans. - Recommend corrective actions and network adjustments based on performance results and changing market conditions. - Lead the development and management of strategic airline partnerships, including cooperation with Saudia and other airline partners. - Identify opportunities for interline, codeshare, and other commercial partnership arrangements. - Oversee relevant government, regulatory, and bilateral aviation relationships in coordination with internal stakeholders. - Manage the department’s budget, manpower requirements, and operating activities. - Monitor financial performance against budget and provide regular reports and recommendations to senior management. - Identify cost-saving and revenue-enhancement opportunities across network planning and scheduling activities. - Ensure the effective use of scheduling, forecasting, and optimization tools to improve schedule efficiency and reliability. - Identify network-related risks and develop appropriate mitigation and contingency plans. - Build effective relationships with internal stakeholders, airports, government authorities, airline partners, and other external parties. - Lead, develop, and manage the Network Planning and Airline Partnerships team. Requirements: - Bachelor’s degree in aviation management, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, or a related field. - Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience, including at least 3 years in a senior management or leadership position. - Extensive experience in airline network planning, scheduling, commercial strategy, airline partnerships, or a closely related area. - Strong understanding of airline economics, route profitability, traffic forecasting, and network performance. - In-depth knowledge of aviation market dynamics, airport slots, bilateral agreements, and relevant regulatory requirements. - Proven experience in developing and managing airline partnerships and senior-level stakeholder relationships. - Strong analytical, financial modelling, and commercial decision-making capabilities. - Proficiency in airline network planning, scheduling, forecasting, and optimization tools. - Strong leadership and people-management skills. - Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills. - Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and problem-solving ability. - Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate commercial and operational risks.