Interline Integration Specialist

Job Description

Job Summary:
The Lead - Interline Integration will oversee and manage the integration of interline partnerships while leading teams, resources, and processes for seamless collaboration with partner airlines. This role requires a combination of leadership, functional expertise, and deep technical knowledge of airline systems such as Reservations, Ticketing, and Departure Control Systems (DCS). The incumbent will drive project execution, provide strategic direction to the QA and BA teams, and manage stakeholder relationships to ensure timely delivery and optimal project outcomes.

Roles and Responsibilities:
Subject Matter Expertise (SME):

• Act as the SME for interline and codeshare projects, providing technical and functional leadership.
• Guide the team in executing tasks and projects related to Reservations, Ticketing, and DCS systems.

Leadership and Strategic Direction:

• Provide strategic direction to QA (Quality Assurance) and BA (Business Analysis) teams to ensure alliance project tasks are completed efficiently and on schedule.
• Oversee project planning, resource allocation, and task prioritization across multiple interline and codeshare initiatives.

Quality Assurance and Testing Oversight:

• Prepare comprehensive test plans, test scenarios, and validation criteria for PSS interline integrations.
• Supervise and validate QA work, ensuring adherence to project standards and timelines.
• Maintain and update repositories for stationary testing, DCS testing, and reservation testing on a regular basis.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Facilitate effective coordination with key departments, including OCC (Operations Control Center), Network Planning, Revenue Management (RM), Finance, AOCS, and IT.
• Drive alignment between internal teams to ensure smooth execution and better customer service outcomes.

Stakeholder and Vendor Management:

• Maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external partners, and vendors to ensure alignment and project success.
• Oversee vendor deliverables, ensuring projects meet quality, scope, and timeline requirements.

Project Support:

• Lead projects related to distribution, OAL cooperation (interline/codeshare), industry travel partnerships, NDC (New Distribution Capability), BSP (Billing and Settlement Plan) participation, and frequent flyer program arrangements.
• Drive project milestones and outcomes with a focus on delivering value to the organization.

Reporting and Analysis:

• Prepare and deliver insightful reports, presentations, and performance analysis to assess project progress and outcomes.
• Provide strategic inputs and recommendations for process improvements and operational efficiency.

Qualifications and Requirements:
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Business, IT, or a related field.
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in airline reservations, e-ticketing, airport operations, interline, and codeshare projects.
• Proven experience in project management, stakeholder management, and vendor relationship management.

Technical Skills:

• Strong expertise in airline systems, including:
• Navitaire, GoNow, Sabre, and Amadeus.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) for presentations, reporting, and data analysis.
• Ability to manage testing frameworks and validation processes for interline integrations.

Core Competencies:

• Leadership and team management skills with the ability to guide cross-functional teams.
• Strong project planning, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent stakeholder management and vendor coordination capabilities.
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail and a drive for continuous improvement.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to foster collaboration.

Industry Knowledge:

• Deep understanding of airline processes, including reservations, e-ticketing, DCS, interline, and codeshare agreements.
• Familiarity with industry frameworks such as BSP, NDC, and frequent flyer programs.

Who Can Apply:

• Candidates with experience in the following areas are encouraged to apply:
• Airline reservations, e-ticketing, airport operations, interline, and codeshare projects.
• Project management and vendor relationship management.
• Hands-on expertise with systems such as Navitaire, GoNow, Sabre, and Amadeus.
• Proficiency in MS Office for presentations, analysis, and reporting.