Introduction to Airline Network Planning and Route Evaluation

Airline network planning and route evaluation are core functions shaping the commercial success of an airline. As competitive and market conditions shift, operators must continuously assess which routes to enter, maintain, or exit. The ability to evaluate traffic demand, estimate profitability, and understand the interplay between scheduling, competition, and capacity is essential to building a resilient network strategy.

This class examines the end-to-end process of route evaluation, from understanding passenger traffic flows and market dynamics to estimating revenues, costs, and long-term route sustainability. Participants will explore key concepts such as O&D market structures, demand stimulation, seasonality, connectivity, capacity constraints, and schedule design. They will also apply core evaluation principles to hypothetical and real-world cases to strengthen decision-making skills.

By the end of this training, participants will understand how airlines determine route viability, model demand and revenue, and optimise route networks in response to evolving commercial pressures.

By the end of this class, participants will be equipped to:

1. Explain the role of network planning and route evaluation in airline performance
2. Understand O&D markets, traffic flows, and demand behaviour
3. Forecast passenger demand and evaluate market revenue potential
4. Estimate trip costs and assess route profitability
5. Analyse capacity constraints, seasonality, and stimulation effects
6. Evaluate scheduling considerations and connectivity impacts
7. Use core principles to assess real-world route feasibility

1. Airline network and scheduling analysts
2. Route development managers
3. Commercial strategy and planning professionals
4. Airport route development and air service teams
5. Aviation consultants and analysts
6. Government/aviation authority staff working in air transport planning