Head, Network Planning

Job Description

• Location: RedQ
• Department: Networking Planning, Scheduling & Charters
• Entity: AAAMS
• Status (Full time/part time/contract): Full time
  
  

Job Description

YOUR ROLE AS A Group Head, Network Planning, Scheduling & Charters

The Group Head of Network Planning, Scheduling & Charters is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and executing AirAsia’s short- and long-term flight network strategy across all airline entities in the Group. This role requires a commercially driven, analytically strong, and operationally grounded leader who can manage a cross-functional team overseeing network design, schedule planning, slot portfolio management, and charter operations. The ideal candidate will lead strategic planning and tactical execution to maximise revenue, optimizing aircraft utilisation, and ensuring operational feasibility across the Group’s widebody and narrowbody fleets.

What You’ll Champion

• Network Planning & Route Development: Develop and execute short-term network plans aligned with the Group’s commercial and operational strategy. Identify and evaluate new route opportunities, supported by robust market analysis, financial viability assessments, and scenario modelling. Monitor and refine network performance against KPIs (e.g., RASK, CASK, LF), driving corrective action for underperforming routes. Partner with Revenue Management to recommend route adjustments, frequency changes, and aircraft deployment strategies.
• Scheduling (Short-Term & Long-Term): Lead the development and distribution of daily aircraft routings and seasonal schedules for both widebody and narrowbody fleets.
• Ensure all schedules are operationally feasible, aligned with OCC, Engineering, and Airport Operations constraints. Integrate schedules with commercial strategies to maximize revenue capture from demand peaks, public holidays, and special events.
• Annual Budget Integration: Translate annual commercial goals into a viable and executable flight schedule in partnership with Finance and Revenue teams. Lead schedule development for the annual budget cycle, ensuring delivery of capacity targets and route profitability. Continuously refine planned capacity based on macroeconomic conditions, market performance, and cost dynamics.
• Slots & Inventory Management: Oversee slot strategy, slot filings, and compliance across all slot-coordinated airports. Manage the Group’s global slot portfolio to safeguard key airport access and optimize runway timings for performance. Lead the seamless transition of schedules from planning phase into live operation via Schedule Manager (New Skies), in coordination with Preflight and OCC.
• Charter Operations & Special Projects: Lead the development, evaluation, and execution of charter services and special event flying opportunities. Ensure operational alignment and profitability of ad-hoc and long-term charter contracts.
• Revenue Optimization through Scheduling: Align schedules with demand profiles, special events, and market seasonality to maximize load factors and yield. Work closely with the Commercial, Marketing, and Revenue teams to build schedules that respond to real-time market trends.
• Operational Alignment & Excellence: Partner with OCC, Engineering, and Airports to ensure aircraft availability, turnarounds, and crew routing align with planned schedules. Support contingency planning during irregular operations, last-minute aircraft changes, or external disruptions.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Represent Network Planning in internal reviews (e.g., CEO P&L, Commercial Reviews) and external forums (airport negotiations, civil aviation discussions, industry panels). Foster strong cross-functional collaboration with Commercial, Operations, Government Relations, Airport Partnerships, Engineering, and Fleet teams.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead and develop a high-performing team across Scheduling, Network Planning, Slots, and Charters. Instill a data-driven, commercially focused, and operationally aware culture. Develop succession plans, enhance team capabilities, and ensure alignment with Group talent strategy.
  
  

Who You Are

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in network planning, scheduling, or route development in a commercial airline environment.
• Proven success in managing regional or group-level network functions in a multi-hub airline structure.
• In-depth understanding of slot regulations, aircraft operational limitations, revenue optimization, and aviation regulatory frameworks.
• Strong financial acumen and analytical skills, with experience in route evaluation tools and budget alignment.
• Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional environments, with excellent stakeholder management capabilities.
• Experience in managing both scheduled and charter flying preferred.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation, Engineering, Business, Economics, or a related field.
• MBA or Master’s Degree in Strategy, Transportation, or related discipline is an advantage.
  
  

What You’ll Enjoy

• Physical Wellbeing: Key medical and insurance benefits, maternity expenses, flexible work arrangement, and health and fitness amenities.
• Emotional Wellbeing: Paid time off, wellness programmes, and childcare amenities.
• Financial Wellbeing: Resources relating to financial, personal skills and career growth programmes.
• Allstars Specials: Free flights, unlimited discounted flights, and exclusive discounts with partners.
• A unique Allstar culture like no other
  
  

Our Hiring Process

• Application received
• Candidate screening
• Interview(s) and assessment(s)
• Background check and/or other assessments
• Offer and negotiation
  
  

Get To Know Airasia

AirAsia has been the World's Best Low-Cost Airline for 14 consecutive years with over 800 million guests flown. We continue to champion dreams, serve the underserved and connect the world and Asean like no other so Now Everyone Can Fly.

Get To Know Us

Our story begins in 2001 with a dream, two planes and a 40 million ringgit debt. You’ll know us as the ‘Now Everyone Can Fly’ airline (if you don’t, we’re definitely older than you).

Today, we’re more than just an airline. We’re Capital A - a world-class brand that wears many hats. Our mission is to connect people and transform lives in Asean.

Above all, we’re Allstars. We believe in the unbelievable and we dare to dream. We also believe in celebrating all individuals. So no matter your culture and background or if you prefer aisle seat to window seat, we’re excited to have you onboard.

We are all different - one talent to another - that is how we rely on our differences. At AirAsia, you will be treated fairly and given all chances to be your best.We are committed to creating a diverse work environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Search Firm Representatives - AirAsia does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place.