We’ve all felt the frustration of a flight delay—being stranded between flights, stuck at the airport, or waiting for hours. Airlines don’t just manage the inconvenience to passengers, but also the financial fallout, including compensation costs, lost revenue, and increased operational expenses. As a leader in aviation, Singapore Airlines (SIA) makes it a priority to ensure that every detail counts in keeping operations smooth and delivering exceptional customer service.

This is where Sean Ooi Hui Jie’s role as a Group Planning Analyst comes in. Beyond managing operational impacts, Sean plays a key role in SIA’s aircraft negotiations, overseeing aircraft purchases and addressing commercial recourse. His unique blend of aviation expertise and financial analysis allows him to evaluate both the immediate and long-term financial implications of fleet decisions, including those related to delays.

We caught up with Sean to learn how his passion for economics has shaped his impactful career at SIA.

What was it about economics that first piqued your interest?

The concept of the economy has always been of great interest to me. However, it was not until my A-level studies that I became truly captivated by the subject. Aided by passionate teachers who positioned the social science as a myriad of psychology, mathematics, and philosophy, I began to see it as a lens for understanding the human world more poignantly in ways no other subject could. This made me delve deeper and I’ve never looked back since.

How did this lead to your decision to pursue a career in the aviation industry, particularly with SIA?

When it came to deciding on an industry, it was SIA’s world-class brand value that stood out and sparked my interest in aviation. The aviation industry provides a multitude of relevant opportunities, from conducting economic analysis on global competitors to managing the financing of aircraft assets and developing revenue management models. I sent in my application in anticipation of such opportunities and the rest is history.

What drew you to the SIA Open Overseas Scholarship?

What first attracted me to the scholarship was the broad exposure that SIA offers to various corporate functions. The SIA Open Overseas Scholarship provides fresh graduates with the opportunity to join the aviation industry to learn in a nurturing environment and develop a diverse range of skills through its rotation scheme.

In what ways has the scholarship benefitted you so far?

The scholarship provided me with the financial means to pursue an overseas education in the United Kingdom. This overseas experience boosted my independence and instilled a deep sense of personal responsibility in shaping my future. The exposure to diverse cultures within the student community broadened my horizons and was a transformative journey.

Professionally, the scholarship has opened doors to insightful global internships, helping me develop various skillsets. My first SIA internship with the KrisFlyer Partnerships team in Singapore was followed by another with the Sales Planning team in London. Through both internships, I gained insight into different skill sets—building strong interpersonal relationships with the Partnerships team and honing analytical skills with the Sales Planning team. I am confident these experiences will prove invaluable in my future roles.

Could you share more about the work that you do at SIA?

As a Group Planning Analyst within the Group Asset Management (GAM) team, I play a key role in fleet planning to support the Group’s network objectives. My primary responsibility involves managing the economic impact of aircraft delays within the SIA aircraft fleet, which requires coordination across various departments, including network planning, finance, and engineering. Additionally, as part of the team that represents SIA for commercial aircraft negotiations, my team oversees matters such as commercial recourse and potential aircraft purchase acquisitions.

What is one project you’ve enjoyed working on?

One project I particularly enjoyed was conducting a macro-level analysis of the aviation industry as part of my role in Group Planning. The task required the combination of aviation knowledge and financial analytics, allowing me to leverage my experience to provide fresh insights that supported the Group’s portfolio strategy.

What do you consider to be the most impactful contribution you’ve made in your career thus far?

My most significant career achievement was conducting an independent analysis of key issues critical to the Group’s fleet strategy. This analysis was integral to a presentation delivered to senior management.

What opportunities for professional growth have you gained at SIA?

SIA’s dynamic environment encourages its staff to embrace new ideas, especially with the launch of new initiatives such as the latest transformation campaign, where we are inspired to “Share Boldly, Create Possibilities and Do What Matters”. This culture has provided me with opportunities to engage with and learn from various individuals with vast experience.

Finally, what makes SIA such a great place to work at?

SIA has a family-like work culture, where colleagues are supportive of each other, with friendships spanning across departments. It is amazing to see how seamlessly my seniors coordinate with other business units within the company and how long-lasting connections are forged from prior rotations.

SIA offers a wide range of business units that leverage different skillsets for rotations, ensuring there are always opportunities for everyone to contribute meaningfully.