Overview
Job Purpose
The Hajj & Umrah Planning Manager is responsible for ensuring effective planning, optimal fleet utilization, and smooth execution of Hajj and Umrah operations. The role oversees charter and lease agreements, profitability studies, and cross-functional coordination with internal teams, Hajj missions, and external partners to deliver reliable, compliant, and profitable Hajj & Umrah services.
Responsibilities
- Prepare, review, and manage charter, service, and ACMI lease agreements, ensuring commercial viability and operational alignment with corporate policies.
- Conduct profit and loss studies, payload and route analyses to support feasibility assessments and guide negotiations with Hajj missions and Umrah agents.
- Develop short- and medium-term fleet plans in coordination with internal departments and lessors, ensuring optimal utilization and profitability.
- Oversee slot coordination, permits, and approvals with regulatory authorities and airports to ensure smooth seasonal operations.
- Act as the focal point with NWP and internal stakeholders to align schedules and make adjustments based on client needs.
- Coordinate with OCC, ACMI providers, and ground handling teams to minimize service disruption and revenue loss.
- Partner with sales and commercial teams to align fleet planning with demand forecasts and charter agreements.
- Monitor and track KPIs including aircraft utilization, block hours, on-time performance, and revenue per route.
- Support contingency planning for disruptions such as AOGs, airport closures, or operational restrictions.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Business, or a related field.
- Minimum of 6 years’ experience in aviation/airline operations, with proven expertise in fleet planning, charter/ACMI management, and Hajj & Umrah operations.
- Strong analytical skills in route studies, payload optimization, and commercial feasibility assessments.
- Solid understanding of regulatory approvals, slot coordination, and compliance requirements.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience working with lessors, service providers, Hajj missions, and government authorities.
Competencies
- Technical: Fleet & capacity planning, route optimization, contract management, KPI reporting.
- Behavioral: Strategic thinking, decision-making, leadership, collaboration, and adaptability.