About The Role

Job Purpose

The Head of Fleet Planning & Strategy is responsible for developing and executing AirBorneo Airways’ fleet strategy to support the airline’s business plan, network growth, operational requirements and long-term financial sustainability.

The role will lead the end-to-end fleet planning, aircraft selection, capacity planning, fleet acquisition and disposal strategy, aircraft utilisation analysis, fleet economics and long-term fleet optimisation.

As a key strategic role within a startup airline, the position will work closely with the CEO, Commercial, Network Planning, Operations, CAMO, Finance and other functions to ensure that the airline has the right aircraft, in the right configuration, at the right time and at the right cost.

The role will also provide senior management with data-driven recommendations on aircraft acquisition, leasing, financing, fleet renewal and deployment.

Key Responsibilities

A. Fleet Strategy & Long-Term Planning

Develop and maintain AirBorneo Airways’ long-term fleet strategy and fleet plan aligned with the airline’s business plan and growth objectives.
Determine optimal fleet size, aircraft types, fleet mix and growth profile based on:
Network and route strategy
Passenger demand
Capacity requirements
Aircraft economics
Operational constraints
Airport infrastructure
Seasonality
Financial capacity
Develop short-, medium- and long-term fleet scenarios and recommend the optimal fleet strategy to senior management.
Conduct fleet sensitivity and scenario analysis covering different growth, demand, fuel price, lease rate and aircraft availability assumptions.
Continuously review fleet strategy in response to changes in market conditions, competition, aircraft technology and airline performance.

B. Aircraft Acquisition, Leasing & Disposal

Lead the evaluation and recommendation of aircraft acquisition and leasing opportunities.
Develop aircraft acquisition business cases covering:
Purchase versus lease
Operating lease versus finance lease
New versus used aircraft
Aircraft pricing and lease rates
Maintenance reserves
Financing costs
Residual value
Fuel efficiency
Maintenance economics
Configuration and cabin requirements
Manage the aircraft sourcing process, including engagement with:
Aircraft manufacturers
Aircraft lessors
Aircraft owners
Aircraft brokers
Financial institutions
MRO providers
Aviation consultants
Support negotiations on aircraft pricing, lease terms, delivery schedules, maintenance reserves, return conditions and other commercial terms.
Develop fleet entry and exit plans, including aircraft phase-in, phase-out, sale, lease return and disposal.
Ensure fleet acquisition decisions are supported by robust financial and operational analysis.

C. Fleet Capacity & Deployment Planning

Translate the airline's network and schedule requirements into aircraft capacity requirements.
Determine aircraft requirements by route, market and season.
Optimise aircraft deployment based on:
Passenger demand
Aircraft capacity
Range
Stage length
Aircraft utilisation
Slot availability
Airport operating constraints
Crew requirements
Maintenance requirements
Develop fleet deployment scenarios for new route launches and network expansion.
Identify opportunities to improve aircraft utilisation and overall fleet productivity.
Work with Network Planning and Operations to minimise operational disruptions arising from fleet constraints.

D. Aircraft Economics & Fleet Optimisation

Develop and maintain aircraft-level and fleet-level economic models.
Monitor key fleet economic indicators including:
Aircraft utilisation
Cost per available seat kilometre (CASK)
Fuel burn
Maintenance cost
Lease cost
Ownership cost
Revenue contribution
Aircraft productivity
Load factor
Break-even load factor
Conduct aircraft type and configuration comparisons to determine the most economically viable fleet for AirBorneo Airways.
Identify opportunities to optimise fleet utilisation, aircraft configuration and deployment.
Provide recommendations to improve fleet profitability and return on invested capital.

E. Startup Fleet Introduction & Aircraft Induction
For the initial launch phase, the role will have significant responsibility for establishing AirBorneo Airways’ fleet foundation.

Develop the initial fleet acquisition and induction plan.
Determine aircraft delivery sequencing in line with:
AOC and regulatory milestones
Route launch plans
Pilot and cabin crew availability
Maintenance capability
Spare parts availability
Ground handling readiness
Training requirements
Coordinate with CAMO, Flight Operations, Engineering, Safety, Ground Operations and Commercial functions to ensure aircraft are inducted within the required timeline.
Establish fleet induction timelines and critical milestones.
Identify and proactively manage risks associated with aircraft delivery and entry into service.
Support the development of aircraft specifications, cabin configuration and operational requirements.

F. Regulatory & Compliance Interface

Ensure fleet planning activities comply with applicable Malaysian and international aviation regulatory requirements.
Work closely with the relevant regulatory, technical and operational teams regarding aircraft eligibility and introduction.
Coordinate with CAMO and Engineering on:
Aircraft technical specifications
Airworthiness requirements
Maintenance programme implications
Aircraft records
Maintenance reserves
Aircraft acceptance and induction
Ensure fleet decisions consider applicable requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and other relevant aviation authorities.

G. Business Planning & Financial Management

Provide fleet assumptions and forecasts for the airline’s annual budget and long-term business plan.
Develop fleet-related CAPEX and OPEX forecasts.
Work closely with Finance to assess the financial impact of fleet decisions.
Prepare financial models and investment papers for aircraft acquisition and leasing decisions.
Monitor fleet-related expenditure against approved budgets.
Identify opportunities to reduce aircraft ownership, leasing, maintenance and operating costs.

H. Management Reporting & Governance

Prepare regular fleet strategy and performance reports for the CEO and senior management.
Develop board-level papers and presentations relating to:
Fleet acquisition
Aircraft leasing
Fleet expansion
Fleet renewal
Aircraft disposal
Fleet optimisation
Provide clear recommendations supported by financial, commercial and operational analysis.
Maintain appropriate documentation, assumptions and decision records for major fleet decisions.
Ensure major fleet commitments are subject to the appropriate internal governance and approval processes.

I. Market Intelligence & Strategic Development

Monitor global and regional aircraft market developments.
Track:
Aircraft availability
Lease rates
Aircraft values
Manufacturer developments
New aircraft technologies
Fuel efficiency
MRO costs
Market capacity
Benchmark AirBorneo Airways’ fleet strategy against relevant regional and international airlines.
Identify emerging aircraft technologies and fleet opportunities that could provide competitive advantage.
Provide strategic advice on future fleet opportunities and risks.

J. Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

Establish and lead the Fleet Planning & Strategy function.
Build a high-performing team as the airline scales.
Develop appropriate fleet planning processes, systems, models and governance frameworks.
Foster strong collaboration with:
CEO / Executive Management
Commercial
Network Planning
Finance
Flight Operations
CAMO / Engineering
Safety
Ground Operations
Procurement
Legal
Regulatory Affairs
Provide leadership and strategic direction on all fleet-related matters.

Key Deliverables / Success Measures

The successful candidate will be expected to deliver

Approved long-term fleet strategy aligned with AirBorneo Airways' business plan.
Initial fleet acquisition and induction plan supporting the airline's launch timeline.
Optimal fleet size and aircraft mix based on commercial and operational requirements.
Aircraft acquisition/leasing business cases with clear financial justification.
Fleet deployment and utilisation plans supporting network profitability.
Fleet cost and economic optimisation initiatives.
Effective aircraft delivery, acceptance and entry-into-service planning.
Reliable fleet forecasts for budgeting and business planning.
Robust fleet governance, planning processes and management reporting.
A scalable Fleet Planning & Strategy function capable of supporting future airline growth.

Qualifications & Experience

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Aeronautical Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Transport Management or a related discipline.
A postgraduate qualification or MBA would be an advantage.

Experience

Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in airline fleet planning, aviation strategy, aircraft acquisition, aircraft leasing, network planning, airline economics or a related field.
At least 5 years in a managerial or senior leadership capacity .
Strong experience in one or more of the following:
Fleet planning
Aircraft acquisition
Aircraft leasing
Aircraft valuation
Airline network planning
Fleet economics
Aviation strategy
Experience with airline startup, airline launch, fleet expansion or major fleet transformation would be highly advantageous.
Experience working directly with aircraft lessors, OEMs and aviation financing stakeholders is preferred.
Strong understanding of the commercial and technical aspects of aircraft acquisition and operation.

Technical & Professional Competencies

The candidate should demonstrate strong knowledge of

Airline fleet planning methodologies
Aircraft acquisition and leasing
Aircraft economics and valuation
Airline business modelling
Network and capacity planning
Aircraft utilisation optimisation
Route economics
Fleet operating costs
Aircraft performance and range
Aircraft configuration and cabin planning
Maintenance economics
Aircraft delivery and induction
Aviation financing
Airline financial modelling
Aviation regulatory environment
Commercial aviation market trends

Systems & Analytical Skills

Advanced financial modelling and scenario analysis.
Strong Excel / financial modelling capability.
Experience with airline fleet planning and network planning tools is an advantage.
Ability to analyse large datasets and convert analysis into actionable management recommendations.
Strong presentation and business-case development skills.

Leadership Competencies

Strategic thinking and commercial acumen
Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
Sound financial judgement
Decision-making under uncertainty
Negotiation and influencing skills
Stakeholder management
Project management
Risk management
Leadership and team development
Strong communication and presentation skills
Ability to operate effectively in a startup and fast-changing environment
Ability to balance commercial ambition with operational, regulatory and financial constraints

Ideal Candidate Profile

AirBorneo Airways should seek a strategic aviation professional rather than purely a technical fleet specialist . The ideal candidate should be able to move between airline strategy, aircraft economics, commercial planning and operational realities .

The person should be comfortable operating in a startup environment where the fleet strategy is being built from the ground up, with the ability to make commercially sound recommendations despite incomplete information, changing market conditions and tight implementation timelines.

The ideal candidate should be able to answer three fundamental questions for management

What aircraft should AirBorneo operate?
How many aircraft does AirBorneo need and when?
How can the fleet generate the best commercial and operational return for the airline?