What are the best practices for designing international routes?

3 Choose your aircraft and equipment

The third step in designing international routes is to choose your aircraft and equipment that would suit your routes and markets. You need to consider the range, capacity, fuel efficiency, maintenance, and reliability of your aircraft and equipment. You also need to balance the trade-offs between standardization and customization of your fleet and cabins. You can use various methods, such as simulation, optimization, and scenario analysis, to select your aircraft and equipment.

4 Optimize your network and schedule

The fourth step in designing international routes is to optimize your network and schedule that would maximize your revenue and profitability. You need to consider the connectivity, frequency, timing, and duration of your flights and how they fit into your overall network. You also need to account for the operational constraints, such as slots, curfews, crew, and ground services. You can use various techniques, such as network planning, hub-and-spoke, and point-to-point models, to optimize your network and schedule.

5 Comply with regulations and agreements

The fifth step in designing international routes is to comply with the regulations and agreements that govern the international aviation market. You need to be aware of the legal, political, and environmental issues that affect your routes and markets. You also need to obtain the necessary permissions, licenses, and rights from the authorities and stakeholders. You can use various sources, such as IATA, ICAO, and bilateral and multilateral agreements, to comply with the regulations and agreements.

6 Manage your risks and uncertainties

The sixth step in designing international routes is to manage your risks and uncertainties that may affect your routes and markets. You need to identify, assess, and mitigate the potential threats and opportunities that may arise from internal or external factors, such as demand fluctuations, price changes, currency movements, security incidents, natural disasters, and pandemics. You can use various strategies, such as hedging, diversification, contingency planning, and scenario planning, to manage your risks and uncertainties.