Lead Aviation Forecaster

Cignus Consulting is an SBA 8(a)-certified aviation technology and engineering firm supporting FAA, NASA, DoD, and major airport operators. We are seeking a senior aviation forecaster to join the Strategic Analysis and Forecasting team of a major New York City airport operator as an embedded extension of staff. The role covers forecasting across JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and Stewart airports and is expected to start in November 2026 for a period of approximately four years.

• Lead quarterly updates of optimistic, moderate, and pessimistic passenger scenarios for all four airports, with monthly short-term forecasts (up to 2 years) and annual long-term forecasts (up to 20 years)
• Build fleet forecasts in 5-year intervals by aircraft type (commuter, narrow body, widebody) and market (domestic and international), and use them to produce scheduled passenger, cargo, and general aviation operations forecasts
• Develop annual cargo volume projections using econometric and time-series methods
• Research airline strategies, fleet orders, airport developments, and post-pandemic travel trends as inputs to the forecasting models
• Review the FAA Terminal Area Forecast, develop holiday forecasts, and review redevelopment forecasts
• Author white papers, ad hoc analyses, technical reports, and the annual "Year in Review" publication
• Document methodologies and maintain detailed assumption workbooks for load factor, capacity, and carrier fleet by airport and region

• 8+ years of aviation demand forecasting, airport planning, or airline network analysis experience
• Hands-on econometric modeling in EViews (or a comparable tool such as R, Stata, or Python stats models)
• Deep working knowledge of DOT T-100, DB1B/O&D, and Airline Data Inc. (or OAG/Cirium) schedule data
• Strong SQL skills with Oracle or Microsoft SQL Server, plus Power BI or Tableau
• Advanced Excel modeling
• A track record of presenting forecast results and assumptions to senior stakeholders
• Bachelor's degree in economics, statistics, aviation, transportation planning, or a related field. A graduate degree is a plus.

• Prior work on airport master plans, FAA TAF reconciliation, or revenue forecasting for an airport sponsor
• Familiarity with Aerobahn or other airside operations data

Onsite at 4 World Trade Center a minimum of 2 days per week. Core hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern, Monday through Friday, with occasional extended hours around deliverable deadlines.

This position is contingent upon contract award. Cignus Consulting is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.