My client is a globally recognised leader in luxury cruise holidays, offering a wide range of exquisite travel experiences to exotic destinations around the world. Their commitment to excellence extends beyond the sea, as they provide comprehensive travel solutions, including air travel, to ensure a seamless and luxurious journey for our guests. They are looking for an experienced Air Operations Manager to join their team and help elevate their air travel services to new heights.

The role in a nutshell…

The Air Operations Manager will play a crucial role in managing and optimising our air travel logistics, working closely with airlines and other partners to ensure smooth and efficient travel experiences for our guests. This position requires a strategic thinker with strong operational expertise, excellent negotiation skills, and a commitment to providing exceptional customer service.

The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting both the UK and EU Teams for all things related. This role has primary responsibility for our UK and EU based flights teams, including alignment and adherence to established KPI's and metrics within our global flights policy. This role is also responsible for maintaining contact with our airline partners within the region to ensure appropriate targets are established and met, as well as ensuring product training and familiarization for our teams. Reporting to the Vice President of Global Flights, this role acts as the in-market representative for the flights department and coordinates directly with the market leaders in reservations, finance, sales and markets commercial teams to foster collaboration and ensure their needs are met.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Ensuring adherence to global flight procedures and KPI's
• Supervising a team of UK & EU based flights consultants
• Pro-actively analysing booking trends and raising concerns in achieving targets
• Consistently reviewing needed enhancements based on planned cruise and tour itineraries
• Lead the air operations team, overseeing all aspects of air travel logistics for our guests, including bookings, scheduling, and coordination with airlines and ground transportation services.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve guest satisfaction.
• Negotiate contracts and maintain strong relationships with airlines, travel agencies, and other partners.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure a seamless travel experience for guests, from air travel to onboard and port activities.
• Analyse travel data and trends to forecast needs, identify challenges, and propose innovative solutions.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and standards in the air travel industry.

Experience required:

• Proven experience in air supplier relations within the travel industry
• Minimum of 2 years management experience with direct reports
• Solid operational and data analysis background
• Flexibility to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing priorities with varying hours
• Knowledge of global airline industry practices and flight regulations
• Exceptional knowledge of sabre and travel industry automation

How to apply?

If you're ready to embark on an exciting journey with a leading cruise company, we would like to hear from you! Please send your CV and a cover letter detailing your experience and why you would be a perfect fit to Gemma - gemma@traveltraderecruitment.co.uk or call me on 01619236120