How do you make network planning decisions in a crisis?

1 Assess the impact

The first step is to assess the impact of the crisis on your network, both in terms of demand and supply. You need to understand how the crisis affects your customer segments, your key markets, your competitors, and your regulatory environment. You also need to evaluate how the crisis affects your operational capabilities, such as your fleet, your crew, your infrastructure, and your partners. You can use data analysis, scenario planning, and market intelligence to estimate the magnitude and duration of the crisis and its implications for your network.

2 Adapt the strategy

The second step is to adapt your network strategy to the new reality. You need to align your network objectives with your business goals and your stakeholder expectations. You need to prioritize your network actions based on their feasibility, profitability, and sustainability. You need to balance your network portfolio between your core and your opportunistic markets, and between your short-term and your long-term plans. You can use network optimization, market segmentation, and product differentiation to design your network strategy.

3 Implement the changes

The third step is to implement the network changes in a timely and effective manner. You need to communicate your network decisions to your internal and external stakeholders, such as your employees, your customers, your suppliers, and your regulators. You need to coordinate your network execution with your other functions, such as your sales, your marketing, your finance, and your operations. You need to monitor your network performance and adjust your network tactics as needed. You can use network management, change management, and performance management to execute your network changes.

4 Learn from the experience

The fourth step is to learn from the network planning experience in a crisis. You need to review your network outcomes and identify your strengths and weaknesses. You need to collect feedback from your network stakeholders and understand their satisfaction and loyalty. You need to capture the network best practices and lessons learned and share them across your organization. You need to improve your network capabilities and resilience for the future. You can use network evaluation, customer insight, and knowledge management to learn from your network experience.

5 Innovate the solutions

The fifth step is to innovate your network solutions for the post-crisis environment. You need to anticipate the changes and trends in the aviation industry and the customer behavior. You need to explore new opportunities and challenges for your network, such as new markets, new products, new technologies, and new partnerships. You need to experiment with new network ideas and test their feasibility and viability. You need to create value and differentiation for your network and your brand. You can use network innovation, customer co-creation, and value proposition to innovate your network solutions.

6 Lead the recovery

The sixth step is to lead the network recovery and growth in the post-crisis period. You need to leverage your network assets and advantages and exploit your network potential and opportunities. You need to align your network vision and mission with your corporate strategy and culture. You need to inspire and engage your network stakeholders and create a network community and culture. You need to drive your network excellence and performance and achieve your network goals and targets. You can use network leadership, stakeholder management, and network culture to lead your network recovery and growth.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?