Flight Operations Manager
Job Purpose
The Flight Operations Manager is responsible for implementing and maintaining essential operating procedures and manuals to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the Air Arabia Maroc fleet. This role monitors the performance of flights, pilots, and systems in accordance with the provisions of the Operations Manuals and in compliance with Air Arabia Maroc policies and DGAC/CAA regulations. The Flight Operations Manager fosters professionalism among pilots and optimizes manpower and operating costs.
Key Result Responsibilities
- Lead the Flight Operations team, providing continuous support, coaching, and guidance to ensure individual and team efficiency at all times.
- Support manpower planning and utilization in alignment with business operational needs, adhering to regulatory requirements. Oversee manpower allocation in a cost-effective manner, ensuring the Company's cost reduction objectives are met. Manage base allocation and pilot assignment across all hubs.
- Collaborate with stakeholders in Operations and Human Resources to ensure objective performance evaluation of all pilots.
- Utilize available data and reports to make decisions regarding promotions, dismissals, mandatory and competency-based trainings, career development, grievance handling, and overall team performance.
- Liaise with the Cabin Services Manager to design, develop, and implement policies and Standard Operating Procedures, ensuring consistency and compatibility between Flight and Cabin Crew operations.
- Monitor and review revisions to the Operations Manual Parts A, B, C, and MEL. Inform Flight Crew of any temporary amendments, changes, instructions, or notices related to flight operations and safety-critical operational information.
- Partner with Safety, Security, and Quality Assurance to review, update, and monitor the implementation of manuals necessary to establish and maintain Flight Crew safety and security procedures within the Company. Monitor safety issue trends to identify and implement corrective measures.
- Review, analyze, and evaluate various reports, including discretion, occurrence, voyage, and Flight Crew reports. Recommend and take appropriate actions and solutions, communicating necessary information accordingly. Ensure timely collection and submission of Captain Discretion Reports.
- Liaise with external parties such as DGAC/CAA, regulatory bodies, aircraft manufacturers, and OEMs to ensure the AFM (Aircraft Fleet Management) system is up-to-date and provides the most advantageous performance data for fleet standardization and safety. Provide recommendations when appropriate.
- Support the Head of Flight Operations by providing valid recommendations on route planning, scheduling, and new destinations.
- Establish operational requirements for all aerodromes and routes served, highlighting any limitations to aircraft performance.
- Analyze and evaluate current practices to identify opportunities for reducing operational costs, particularly in fuel consumption and manpower utilization.
- Ensure Quality Assurance and internal/external audit requirements are effectively managed. Represent Flight Operations during statutory audits such as CAA, IOSA, etc.
- Conduct field trip visits to evaluate the performance of destinations and support hubs.
- Operate a number of flights to achieve a yearly average of 40 block hours per month.
Qualifications (Academic, training, languages)
- A valid ATPL License is mandatory.
- A Bachelor's degree in Aeronautics/Aviation/Management or equivalent is an advantage.
- Training in safety and emergency response is essential; a formal qualification is desirable.
- Basic Airport, security procedures, and regulations related training is required.
- Training in IATA principles and standards relating to security is highly desirable.
- Cost Control, Compliance, Budgeting, and Quality Assurance certificates and training are considered an added value and may be treated as conditional for this role.
- Proficient in using aircraft systems, Microsoft Office, Internet, and Web Search.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical report writing and presentations.
- Fluency in English, Arabic, and French is advantageous.
Work Experience
- 10+ years of extensive experience in Airlines Operations, with a minimum of 5 years in a supervisory or managerial level in a similar position handling operational control over international commercial operations with similar aircraft.
- Alternatively, a minimum of 3 years within the last 6 years as a pilot in command of Airbus 320 or Airbus 321; experience with low-cost airlines is considered an advantage.
- Possesses good industry knowledge in aircraft systems and operating procedures.
- Familiar with rules and regulations of Civil Aviation Authorities and regulatory bodies, preferably DGAC and IOSA, pertaining to Flight Operations manuals and working procedures, as well as Pilot licensing.
- Working exposure to Quality Assurance/Safety/Security/Audit procedures and practices affecting Flight Operations.
- Experienced in implementing, and monitoring policies, procedures, and manuals based on business requirements, approved quality standards, and in line with authority-adopted regulations.
- Hands-on experience with high-pressure operations in a frequently changing environment with heavy workload schedules and ad-hoc scenarios.
- High accuracy and attention to both results and details.
- Developed skills in cost-estimation analysis and managing budget expenditure.
- Experienced in measuring the team's performance against regulations, manuals, and set standards.