Airline Network Development Director (Relocation to Syria)

Role Purpose

Network & Route Development

• Develop and execute the airport’s
• airline network and route development strategy
• , aligned with long‑term commercial and traffic growth objectives.
• Lead market analysis, demand forecasting, catchment studies, traffic stimulation modelling, and route profitability assessments.
• Identify priority airlines, markets, and routes across the

Middle East and Europe

• , building a robust pipeline of new services.
• Design and oversee incentive programmes, commercial frameworks, and route support mechanisms to attract and retain airlines.

Airline Engagement & Commercial Leadership

• Act as the primary commercial interface with
• airline network planning, commercial, and strategy teams
• .
• Lead high‑level negotiations with full‑service, low‑cost, charter, and cargo airlines.
• Present compelling business cases to airline executives, clearly articulating demand fundamentals, yield potential, and network fit.
• Represent the airport at industry forums, route development conferences, and bilateral meetings.

Function Build‑Up & Governance

• **Build the airline network development function from the ground up**
• , including processes, tools, governance, and KPIs.
• Establish best‑practice methodologies for route evaluation, airline targeting, and performance tracking.
• Work cross‑functionally with airport commercial, operations, finance, marketing, and government stakeholders to ensure integrated execution.
• Provide strategic insight and regular reporting to executive leadership and board‑level stakeholders.

Key Requirements

• **12–15 years of senior aviation experience**
• , with strong exposure to:
• Airline
• network planning
• , route economics, and scheduling
• and/or
• Airport
• air service development / commercial strategy
• Proven ability to operate credibly with
• airline network planning teams
• and airport leadership.
• **Native / Fluent Arabic and English speaker is mandatory.**
• Strong exposure to
• Middle East and/or European aviation markets
• is a significant advantage.
• Demonstrated experience
• building and scaling a function
• , team, or commercial capability from scratch.
• Strong commercial mindset with excellent analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Executive presence with the ability to influence airline C‑suite, regulators, and government authorities.

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management, Economics, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• Postgraduate qualification (MBA or equivalent) is an advantage.