Job Description
JOB DESCRIPTION:
YOUR ROLE AS A: Network Planning Manager - China Focus
AirAsia is seeking a highly analytical and commercially minded Network Planning Manager (China Focus) to lead the development and optimisation of our network to/from Greater China. This role is pivotal to AirAsia’s continued expansion and profitability in one of our most strategically important spanets. The ideal candidate is of Chinese origin with strong cultural and linguistic fluency in Mandarin and English, and has a deep understanding of aviation spanet dynamics, passenger behavior, and regulatory nuances in the China region.
You will be responsible for evaluating new route opportunities, managing route performance, optimizing schedules, and ensuring alignment with broader business and operational objectives. This is a hands-on role, requiring cross-functional collaboration with teams across Revenue Management, Regulatory, Government Relations, Airport Partnerships, Finance, and Operations.
WHAT YOU’LL CHAMPION:
China Market Network Strategy: Identify and evaluate short- and medium-term network opportunities to/from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Assess and prioritize new route opportunities, city pairs, and potential frequency increases based on data-driven business cases. Align China network planning with corporate strategy, commercial goals, and fleet deployment priorities.
Schedule Planning & Optimization: Develop and propose viable flight schedules for new and existing routes in the China spanet, balancing demand, operational feasibility, and commercial potential. Work with the Scheduling team to ensure optimal aircraft routing, ground time, and turnaround efficiency. Monitor and recommend adjustments to schedules based on seasonal demand, events, and spanet shifts.
Route Performance & Profitability: Monitor route performance metrics including RASK, CASK, LF, revenue, and yield. Lead root-cause analysis for underperforming routes and implement corrective actions in collaboration with Revenue Management and Scheduling. Develop business cases for aircraft deployment, upgauging/downgauging, or frequency rationalization.
Bilateral, Regulatory & Slots Coordination: Work closely with Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations to manage bilateral entitlements, frequency caps, and traffic rights for China routes. Collaborate with Airport Partnerships on slot acquisition, slot swaps, and coordination with slot-constrained China airports. Ensure regulatory and slot compliance, and maintain up-to-date tracking of AirAsia’s China slot portfolio.
Market & Competitor Intelligence: Track competitor movements, pricing shifts, capacity increases, and strategic developments within the China aviation spanet. Analyze tourism trends, business travel patterns, and macroeconomic developments relevant to Chinese outbound/inbound traffic. Provide timely recommendations to capitalize on emerging demand and competitive gaps.
Budget Development & Execution: Support the preparation and execution of the annual China network budget. Align route planning inputs with budget targets, cost assumptions, and commercial forecasts. Monitor actual performance vs. budget and propose tactical route/network adjustments accordingly.
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Serve as the China spanet planning lead in internal forums, including commercial strategy meetings, CEO budget reviews, and route performance discussions. Represent Network Planning in external engagements with CAAC, airport authorities, tourism boards, and aviation forums relevant to China. Prepare reports, dashboards, and presentations to communicate network strategy, performance, and route decisions clearly.
WHO YOU ARE:
Ethnicity: Must be of Chinese origin to effectively engage with stakeholders, authorities, and partners across Greater China.
Language: Native/Fluent in Mandarin and English (spoken and written).
Minimum 5 years of experience in route/network planning, strategy, aviation consulting, or related commercial roles in the airline or transport industry.
Bachelors degree in Aviation, Economics, Business, Engineering, or related fields. Postgraduate qualification is a plus.
Strong analytical capability with proficiency in tools like MIDT, Sabre Market Intelligence, OAG, Cirium, and Excel.
Solid understanding of China’s aviation regulatory framework, bilateral air services agreements, and slot coordination procedures.
Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally, influence senior stakeholders, and deliver results under pressure.
Passion for aviation, strong commercial acumen, and a deep understanding of China’s air travel landscape.
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:
GET TO KNOW AIRASIA:
AirAsia has been the Worlds 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.