Crew Planner

Overview

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain short-, medium-, and long-term crew plans aligned with operational requirements and flight schedules.
• Conduct manpower forecasting to ensure sufficient pilot coverage and proactively address shortages or surpluses.
• Plan and manage annual and ad hoc leave schedules, balancing operational coverage with crew welfare.
• Allocate simulator training, line checks, and recurrent requirements in compliance with regulatory and company standards.
• Design and optimize crew pairings to maximize productivity and minimize operational costs while adhering to duty limitations.
• Prepare seasonal crew plans to support fluctuating cargo demand and network changes.
• Coordinate crew repositioning and manage layover planning to ensure seamless crew movement and operational readiness.
• Produce reports related to crew allowances, ensuring accuracy and alignment with payroll and policy.
• Manage and implement last-minute crew changes driven by operational disruptions, customer requirements, or unforeseen circumstances.
• Monitor daily operations, resolving disruptions such as delays, sickness, or operational constraints in real time.
• Ensure full compliance with UAE GCAA regulations, company policies, and fatigue risk management requirements.
• Maintain accurate records within the crew management system and generate operational reports to support decision-making.
• Act as the key point of contact for pilots on rostering, ensuring clear, professional, and timely communication.

Key Requirements

• Proven experience in crew planning, scheduling, or airline operations.
• Strong understanding of flight time limitation regulations and rostering best practices.
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to forecast and optimize manpower resources.
• Proficiency in crew planning systems (ideally WinOps) and strong Excel capabilities.
• Ability to work independently with sound judgment and strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Excellent communication skills

Key Competencies

• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Proactive planning and adaptability
• Strong decision-making under pressure
• Stakeholder collaboration
• Continuous improvement mindset

Additional Requirement

• The nature of this role requires a high degree of flexibility, including availability to be on call to manage operational disruptions and urgent crew-related matters outside standard working hours.
• Join a leading cargo airline and play a key role in keeping our operations running smoothly.
• As a Crew Planner, you’ll help shape rosters, training plans, and leave schedules for a dynamic pilot workforce of approximately 50 Captains and First Officers—making a direct impact on operational continuity, regulatory compliance, and crew wellbeing.
• This is an excellent opportunity to develop your expertise in end-to-end crew planning, work in a fast-paced environment, and contribute to continuous improvement at the heart of our day-to-day aviation operations.
• What you can expect:
• A role with meaningful responsibility and real influence over scheduling decisions
• Collaboration with operational teams and clear communication with pilots
• Supportive, safety-first working practices with a strong focus on fatigue risk management
• Opportunities to grow through exposure to short-, medium-, and long-term planning, training allocation, and seasonal network changes
• Career growth:
• Bring your planning and analytical skills and further strengthen your career in airline crew management.
• Your work will help ensure reliable operations, accurate reporting, and well-managed crew transitions—while supporting a professional and respectful experience for our pilots.