About RwandAir

RwandAir Ltd is the national carrier of Rwanda, providing domestic and international passenger and cargo services across East, Central, West and Southern Africa, Europe, and the Middle East from its hub at Kigali International Airport.

Our mission is to provide safe, reliable, and world-class air transportation services while strategically connecting Rwanda to the world and delivering sustainable value to stakeholders.

Job Summary

The Head of Fleet Planning is responsible for leading RwandAir's long-term fleet strategy, aircraft acquisition and leasing, lease returns, entry into service (EIS) of new aircraft, and fleet sustainability initiatives. The role ensures that fleet planning aligns with the airline's commercial strategy, network expansion plans, financial objectives, operational capabilities, and regulatory requirements.

Reporting directly to the Chief Commercial Officer, the Head of Fleet Planning serves as the airline's commercial authority on fleet transactions and contracts while overseeing environmental sustainability initiatives and cross-functional fleet programmes.

• Develop and maintain RwandAir's rolling five to ten-year fleet plan aligned with network growth and commercial objectives.
• Evaluate aircraft types, fleet size, and capacity requirements based on operational performance, route economics, and financial viability.
• Prepare business cases and strategic recommendations for fleet investments, acquisitions, and replacement programmes.
• Conduct financial modelling, sensitivity analysis, and cost-benefit evaluations for fleet decisions.
• Maintain fleet planning documentation, decision registers, and long-term investment roadmaps.
• Lead end-to-end aircraft lease acquisition processes, including Request for Proposals (RFPs), lessor evaluation, negotiations, and contract execution.
• Negotiate commercial lease terms, maintenance reserves, security deposits, return conditions, indemnities, and contractual obligations.
• Coordinate technical due diligence, aircraft acceptance processes, and delivery documentation.
• Manage lease payments, escrow arrangements, and contractual milestones through aircraft delivery.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with aircraft lessors, financiers, manufacturers, and aviation partners.
• Develop and manage aircraft lease return strategies and redelivery programmes.
• Coordinate maintenance planning, aircraft modifications, repainting, records reconciliation, and technical inspections.
• Negotiate lease return conditions and minimize end-of-lease financial exposure.
• Work closely with Finance and Technical teams to forecast and manage redelivery costs.
• Ensure timely completion of all contractual obligations associated with aircraft returns.
• Lead cross-functional Entry into Service (EIS) programmes for newly acquired aircraft.
• Coordinate Technical Services, Flight Operations, Ground Operations, Commercial, IT, and Training teams throughout implementation.
• Manage certification, registration, and regulatory approval processes with the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA).
• Monitor programme milestones and resolve implementation risks to ensure successful aircraft entry into commercial service.
• Serve as the commercial authority on aircraft lease agreements and fleet-related contracts.
• Partner with Legal to negotiate, draft, review, and manage commercial agreements.
• Maintain fleet contract repositories, renewal schedules, purchase options, and compliance requirements.
• Ensure adherence to contractual obligations, reporting requirements, and governance standards.
• Collaborate with Technical Services to maximize aircraft availability and optimize maintenance scheduling.
• Coordinate maintenance plans with Network Planning to minimize operational disruptions during peak travel periods.
• Communicate maintenance schedules and aircraft availability updates to operational stakeholders.
• Evaluate Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) leasing options during planned or unexpected aircraft downtime.
• Coordinate ACMI aircraft induction and entry into service where required.
• Develop and implement RwandAir's fleet sustainability strategy in line with corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives.
• Lead environmental initiatives that improve fleet fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
• Integrate sustainability considerations into fleet planning, aircraft selection, and leasing decisions.
• Oversee compliance with CORSIA, EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), and applicable environmental regulations.
• Develop Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) initiatives and support carbon reduction programmes.
• Monitor fleet environmental performance and prepare sustainability reports for senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Act as the primary liaison between Commercial, Network Planning, Technical Services, Flight Operations, Finance, and Legal on fleet matters.
• Build productive relationships with aircraft manufacturers, lessors, maintenance providers, financiers, insurers, and aviation regulators.
• Represent RwandAir in commercial negotiations and industry engagements relating to fleet development.
• Support executive management with strategic fleet recommendations and Board presentations.
• Lead and develop the Fleet Planning team, including managers responsible for Environment & Sustainability, Leasing & ACMI, and Special Projects.
• Establish departmental objectives aligned with corporate strategy.
• Promote collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous professional development.
• Coach and mentor employees while supporting succession planning initiatives.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on operational excellence and commercial success.

• Fleet planning and network optimization.
• Aircraft leasing and contract negotiation.
• Aviation finance and financial modelling.
• Entry into Service (EIS) programme management.
• Lease return and aircraft redelivery management.
• Aviation regulatory compliance.
• Environmental sustainability and carbon reduction strategies.
• CORSIA, EU ETS, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and ESG reporting.
• Aircraft availability planning and ACMI leasing.
• Strategic planning and commercial leadership.
• Cross-functional collaboration.
• Contract negotiation and stakeholder management.
• Team leadership and employee development.
• Change management.
• Executive-level presentation and communication.
• Decision-making and problem-solving.
• Strong commercial and strategic thinking.
• Excellent analytical and financial acumen.
• Exceptional attention to contractual detail and governance.
• High integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional initiatives.
• Results-oriented with strong organizational and project management skills.

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Aviation Management, Finance, Economics, Law, or a related discipline.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA), Aviation Finance qualification, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), ISTAT Appraiser certification, or equivalent aviation finance qualification.
• Minimum of ten (10) years' progressive experience in airline fleet planning, aircraft leasing, or commercial aviation.
• At least four (4) years' experience in fleet planning, leasing, or commercial contracts.
• Demonstrated leadership of multiple aircraft lease acquisitions and/or lease return transactions.
• Strong knowledge of aircraft operating lease structures, maintenance reserves, and lease return conditions.
• Experience in financial modelling, lease evaluation, and investment analysis.
• Experience working with aviation regulatory authorities on aircraft certification and Entry into Service programmes.
• Demonstrated experience leading fuel efficiency, emissions reduction, or aviation sustainability initiatives.