NETWORK ARCHITECTURE DESIGN

The architecture of a network is the fundament of its profitability. An airline's network can only be sustainable if it is more than a loose set of individual routes.

For hub carriers, the architecture concentrates on the bank structure, but also other business models benefit significantly if they achieve synergies between routes.

The optimal architecture is different for each specific situation. With Network Architecture Design, Schedule Consult produces the best options to translate vision and strategy into profitable schedules:

• REALISTIC MARKET STRATEGY: Rational selection and prioritization of the markets to be targeted. Identification of required competitive strengths and commercial positioning.
• CONSISTENT NETWORK ARCHITECTURE: Implications of the strategy and business model for the network. Design of schedule fundaments that ensure operational and commercial synergies. 
  
• FINANCIAL SENSITIVITIES: Elaboration of network, schedules, fleet rotations in line with the selected architecture. Thorough financial compare.
  

The network architecture is the framework for the schedules; the bridge between strategic vision and detailed schedules. It defines commercial priorities, prevents sub-optimization and sets the basis for efficiency of resources and departments.



Network Architecture design is mostly offered in combination with Tactical Schedule Optimization to deliver a ready to implement schedule.

 

 

THE STEPS OF THE NETWORK ARCHITECTURE DESIGN
The Network Architecture Design unfolds in four steps:

1- STRATEGIC ORIENTATION

2- CREATIVE PHASE

3- DEVELOPMENT OF SCENARIOS

4- QUANTITATIVE COMPARE, RECOMMENDATION

The process builds on close interaction with company professionals, to ensure full insight in consequences of each option as well as to keep them in the loop. Together with data modelling and analysis of commercial factors, this is one of the purposes of the orientation.

The most promising options for business model and network concept are fully elaborated into schedule details and thoroughly compared on uniform grounds via the scenario-based trade-off format.

back to top 

TARGET MARKETS
Not each potential market is an opportunity. Airlines make profits if their markets enable commercial and operational synergies.

That's why we always look at routes in their sales context. In which regions are you going to sell? Is it realistic to obtain a sustainable sales position there? What does it take in terms of niches, unique selling points, price, mass or assortment?

These are important aspects to consider before deciding on the shape of the network.

back to top 

QUANTIFICATION OF STRATEGIC OPTIONS

Strategic discussions remain untangible unless they are fueled by clear criteria for trade-offs.

We feature a number of tools that are designed to make preselections in situations where there are literally millions of planning variants. For instance the Fleet Utilization Optimizer generates the best sets of fleet rotations.

If hubs are part of the architecture, the Bank Structure Generator is extremely helpful in defining the optimal number of banks and their timings.

Also our resources that streamline the construction and objective financial evaluation of schedule scenarios are extremely helpful in designing the optimal network architecture.

back to top 

THRU TIME 

Thru time of the Network Architecture Design is 1-2 months, depending on airline size and availability of company information.

back to top