--- 18 Dec 2025 [### Stories ](https://www.leonsoftware.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=14) Trade Air & Leon Software # How One Platform Became the Backbone of Flight Operations For Trade Air, Leon evolved from “just a scheduling tool” into the central nervous system of the entire airline. ![How One Platform Became the Backbone of Flight Operations](https://www.leonsoftware.com/templates/yootheme/cache/d0/tradeair-d07d52b1.jpeg) [![](https://www.leonsoftware.com/images/25-Marketplace/play-2.svg)](#js-0) ![](https://www.leonsoftware.com/images/svg_icons/layout/bg-dots-2.svg) ## When Trade Air’s Head of OCC, Marko Vučinić, took the stage at the Aircraft Commerce 18th Annual Flight Operations Conference at London Heathrow, he told a story many airlines recognise: rapid growth, increasing complexity, and an operations team struggling to keep everything under control with spreadsheets and fragmented tools. ![](https://www.leonsoftware.com/templates/yootheme/cache/92/marko-tradeair-929438b8.jpeg) [![](https://www.leonsoftware.com/images/25-Marketplace/play-2.svg)](#js-1) # His message was simple ## For Trade Air, Leon evolved from “just a scheduling tool” into the central nervous system of the entire airline. This landing-page article is built on Marko’s case study and shows how the Leon–Trade Air partnership transformed their flight operations. ## Trade Air at a Glance ![Trade Air](https://www.leonsoftware.com/templates/yootheme/cache/06/TDR%20Logo-061f9c88.png) ### About Trade Air - Founded in **1994** as a cargo operator with Turbolet L-410 - **2005** – first passenger charter flight with Fokker 100 - IOSA-certified airline - **2016** – partnership with Leon Software - **2016** – first Airbus A320 joins the fleet - **2018** – recognised as the most successful company in Croatia - **2025** – fleet expanded to **6 aircraft** ### Today’s operation - **Fleet:** 5 × Airbus A320, 1 × Saab 340 - **Area of operations:** Europe, Africa, Middle East/Asia, NAT - **Services:** scheduled, charter, ACMI, cargo - **12 years** of PSO service in Croatia - **2nd largest airline in Croatia** - Around **11,000 flights** per year - Over **200 destinations** - Around **600,000 passengers annually** - Summer peak: ~**40 flights per day**, with OCC staffed by **2 dispatchers by day and 1 by night** Marko himself brings 8+ years of operational experience as dispatcher, flight scheduler, assistant and dispatcher training instructor – so he knows exactly where the pain points are. # The Pre-Leon Reality ## Operations by Spreadsheet ### Before Leon, Trade Air was running a modern airline on legacy tools: - Microsoft Access databases - Multiple **Excel tables** maintained by different teams - Separate systems for documentation, training, and crew data This led to: ### 1. Increasing operational complexity - Growing, mixed-type network (scheduled, charter, ACMI, cargo) - Real-time decisions needed across multiple regions and time zones - Hard to maintain a reliable, up-to-date operational picture ### 2. Fragmented tools & manual inputs - Data copied between systems and spreadsheets - Higher risk of **errors, duplications and outdated information** - Limited visibility of critical operational data for other departments ### 3. Compliance tracking challenges - Training, currency and documentation tracked **manually** - Higher risk of **missing documents** and expired qualifications ### 4. Keeping schedules robust - Frequent last-minute changes and operational irregularities - Difficult to keep **all departments synchronised in real time** As Marko explained, “the chaos came from different sources” – everyone was trying to do their best, but they weren’t working from the same live data. ## a single, reliable source of truth for the airline ## Why Trade Air Chose Leon Trade Air selected **Leon Software** as their operational backbone because it could become a **single, reliable source of truth** for the airline. ### According to Marko, the decision centred on four pillars: ### 1. Centralised Operational Data - Unified view of **flights, checklists, services and resources** - Real-time coordination between OCC, crew planning, ground operations, maintenance, sales and other teams ### 2. Process Efficiency & Transparency - Radically reduced **manual input, export and copy-paste work** - **Eliminated spreadsheets** from critical workflows - Everyone working on **the same data, in the same system** ### 3. Enhanced Crew Communication - **One app for everything** crew need - Instant updates of duties, flights, and trainings - Data and documentation available in one place, including offline ### 4. Regulatory Compliance & Reporting Accuracy - Integrated **training & qualification tracking** - Automatic alerts for expiries and limits - Flexible, in-depth reporting aligned with internal and regulatory needs Leon for Flight Operations ![](https://www.leonsoftware.com/templates/yootheme/cache/b1/Tradeair_header3-b14e217e.jpeg) ![](https://www.leonsoftware.com/images/svg_icons/layout/bg-dots-2.svg) [![](https://www.leonsoftware.com/images/25-Marketplace/play-2.svg)](#js-2) ## A Day in the OCC ## One Simplified View of the Airline One of the slides Marko showed at the conference was “One Day in OCC” – essentially a picture of the entire operation inside Leon: ## Unified Timelines & Schedules **Leon Timeline & OPS Schedule** give a simplified, live view of: - Aircraft rotations - Crew duties - Airport usage and maintenance reservations Everyone – OCC, crew planning, ground operations, maintenance, sales – sees the **same operational reality**. ## Smart Warnings & Custom Filters Trade Air relies heavily on Leon’s **warnings and filters** to keep the operation safe, compliant and predictable. **Operational warnings include:** - Category airports - Aircraft discontinuities - Airport discontinuities - Crew flight time limitations - CAMO limits **Cautions filters highlight conditions such as:** - Close to FTL limits - “Do not fly with” pairings - Airport Category B - CAMO close to limit - Crew OML - Airport briefing expired - TBA PAX - PAX travel document missing - …and more, all **customisable** **Notice filters capture operational context**: - Aircraft documents expired / missing - Aircraft notes - Airport handler remarks - Airport recency requirements - OPS notes & Sales notes - Airport briefing / airport notes - Flight diverted - Online familiarisation required All of these are **configurable**. Marko emphasised that Trade Air adjusted the warnings to match their own policies, procedures and risk appetite. This layered approach lets the OCC focus on what matters **right now**, without losing detail. ## Rich Airport Directory Leon’s **Airport Directory** has become a key reference point for Trade Air: - Airport categorisation - Handling details - Fuel suppliers - Maps - Special briefing and training requirements for crew - Restrictions and local procedures Instead of digging through PDFs and shared folders, dispatchers on duty and crew get **an immediate, structured view** of each airport they operate to. # Crew Planning ## The Puzzle That Finally Fits ![](https://www.leonsoftware.com/templates/yootheme/cache/02/pnr-img%2002-02946a86.png) Before Leon, Marko described crew planning as “a very hard puzzle”: multiple tables, manual checks, fragmented information and constant risk of missing something. ### With Leon: - Aircraft, crew, training, recency and limitations all **sit in one place** - The system automatically checks: - Airport discontinuities - Flight time limitations - Recency - Documentation and qualification validity Any changes to crew schedules are **instantly pushed to the Leon Crew App**, and: - Crew members **acknowledge changes** directly in the app - Communication between OPS and crews is **faster and more reliable** - Misunderstandings and missed updates are significantly reduced ![Leon Crew App](https://www.leonsoftware.com/templates/yootheme/cache/2f/Leon%20Crew%20App%201-2f5a3f9c.png) ![Leon Crew App](https://www.leonsoftware.com/templates/yootheme/cache/42/Leon%20Crew%20App%202-42dcccc6.png) ## Flight Preparation & Following ## One Environment, Real Time ### Flight Preparation Trade Air uses **Leon’s fully customisable checklists** to standardise and control flight preparation: - Checklists are **adapted to Trade Air procedures** - Easy to use, easy to update - Ensures consistent preparation across all flights and teams ### Flight Following Flight following with Leon happens **in real time, in one environment**: - OCC sees planned vs actual across the entire network - Other departments also get visibility into what’s happening now - This reduces confusion and speeds up decisions during irregular operations # Leon Crew App ## A Game Changer for the Front Line ![](https://www.leonsoftware.com/templates/yootheme/cache/97/pnr-img%203-97c344c8.png) Marko called the Leon Crew App a genuine game changer for Trade Air. On their phones – including offline – crew now have: - Duty roster and flight schedule - Ability to confirm flight and duty changes - Flight checklists - Operational documents and contacts - Details about service providers - Crew member qualifications - FTL monitoring - Access to company manuals Thanks to this **transparency and self-service**, Trade Air has: - Reduced errors and miscommunication - Improved crew engagement and trust in the system - Strengthened the link between OCC decisions and daily crew reality ![Leon Crew App](https://www.leonsoftware.com/templates/yootheme/cache/42/Leon%20Crew%20App%202-42dcccc6.png) ![Leon Crew App](https://www.leonsoftware.com/templates/yootheme/cache/2f/Leon%20Crew%20App%201-2f5a3f9c.png) # One of the most powerful shifts ## Zero Paper, Zero Spreadsheets – Fully Audit Ready “All post-flight data is stored in Leon, so it becomes our ultimate audit-ready system.” Key outcomes: ### Zero spreadsheet dependency for critical processes ### Digital, traceable records across flights, crews, training and operations ### Easier preparation for audits and inspections ### Confidence that data is consistent and up to date # Integrations ## The Biggest Boost to OCC Work During the Q&A session, someone asked Marko which part of OCC work benefited the most from Leon. His answer: integrations. Trade Air relies on a broad **integration ecosystem**: - Data flows from **Leon → PPS → Eurocontrol → EFBOne → back to Leon** - This significantly reduces manual data entry and turnaround times - **Azzera integration** supports RefuelEU compliance and fuel compensation workflows Leon’s reporting tools then allow **accurate, in-depth, customisable reports** on virtually any aspect of the operation. On invalid data entry checks, Marko noted that **operators still need to monitor data quality**, but the integration with **EFB ONE** greatly lowers the risk of errors by avoiding re-typing. ## Measurable Impact on Operational Efficiency Thanks to the partnership with Leon, Trade Air sees clear operational gains: - **Zero spreadsheet dependency** in key areas - **Faster disruption recovery** - **Better cross-department coordination** thanks to a shared live view - **Fully audit-ready digital records** - **Real-time situational awareness** in OCC and beyond # Perhaps the most telling sign of success: ### Leon entered Trade Air “just” as a scheduling tool – and ended up being adopted by almost every department in the company. # Leon Marketplace ## Looking Ahead: Leon Marketplace and the Future In the final question of the session, Marko was asked whether Trade Air plans to use **Leon Marketplace** in the future. **His answer was clear**: # Yes – definitely For Trade Air, Leon is not a static system; it’s a platform that keeps expanding with new integrations, partners and capabilities – supporting their continued growth and operational excellence. - [](https://x.com/intent/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leonsoftware.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-one-platform-became-the-backbone-of-flight-operations.html.md%3FidU%3D1&text=) - [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leonsoftware.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-one-platform-became-the-backbone-of-flight-operations.html.md%3FidU%3D1) - [](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leonsoftware.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-one-platform-became-the-backbone-of-flight-operations.html.md%3FidU%3D1) - [](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leonsoftware.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-one-platform-became-the-backbone-of-flight-operations.html.md%3FidU%3D1) ### Ready to Build Your Own Success Story? Trade Air’s journey shows what happens when an airline replaces fragmented tools and spreadsheets with a **single, integrated operational platform**. ### If you’d like to: - Centralise your operational data - Improve communication between OCC, crew, maintenance and sales - Become audit-ready and spreadsheet-free - Speed up decision making and disruption recovery **…then Leon could be the backbone your operation is missing.** [Airlines](https://www.leonsoftware.com/index.php?option=com_tags&view=tag&id%5B0%5D=9:airlines)[OPS](https://www.leonsoftware.com/index.php?option=com_tags&view=tag&id%5B0%5D=14:ops)[Flight Operations Software](https://www.leonsoftware.com/index.php?option=com_tags&view=tag&id%5B0%5D=43:flight-operations-software)[Flight OPS Software](https://www.leonsoftware.com/index.php?option=com_tags&view=tag&id%5B0%5D=44:flight-ops-software) ## Contact and press information ![](https://www.leonsoftware.com/templates/yootheme/cache/66/Rafal_Grad-66ca7ac8.png) ### Rafał Grad Marketing Manager - [+48 698 422663](tel:+48698422663) - [](https://www.leonsoftware.com/javascript:/*%20This%20email%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.*/) Leon for Scheduled operators ## Latest from blog [ ![AVCON JET: Leon Software and VOCUS FlightRisk help Promote Safety and Fatigue Management from Booking to Take-off](https://www.leonsoftware.com/templates/yootheme/cache/a5/AVCON_JET__Leon_Software_and_VOCUS-a55763ff.jpeg) 22 Jul 2026 ## AVCON JET: Leon Software and VOCUS FlightRisk help Promote Safety and Fatigue Management from Booking to Take-off ](https://www.leonsoftware.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1185:avcon-jet-leon-software-and-vocus-flightrisk-help-promote-safety-and-fatigue-management-from-booking-to-take-off&catid=14) [ ![Leon Software Integrates with Claude, ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and Gemini CLI](https://www.leonsoftware.com/templates/yootheme/cache/36/mcpai-36c65b7d.png) 21 Jul 2026 ## Leon Software Integrates with Claude, ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and Gemini CLI ](https://www.leonsoftware.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1193:leon-software-integrates-with-claude-chatgpt-github-copilot-and-gemini-cli&catid=14) [ ![Leon Software and FCC Aviation: One Seamless Path to Compliance](https://www.leonsoftware.com/templates/yootheme/cache/eb/fcc-eb01e914.png) 14 Jul 2026 ## Leon Software and FCC Aviation: One Seamless Path to Compliance ](https://www.leonsoftware.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1191:leon-software-and-fcc-aviation-one-seamless-path-to-compliance&catid=14) [ ![Tirrenair Joins the Leon Community](https://www.leonsoftware.com/templates/yootheme/cache/53/New_client_-_Tirrenair_1-539f9927.png) 13 Jul 2026 ## Tirrenair Joins the Leon Community ](https://www.leonsoftware.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1188:tirrenair-joins-the-leon-community&catid=14) ### Subscribe and Follow Us Below to Stay up to Date ![flight schedule software](https://www.leonsoftware.com/images/svg_icons/arrow-swirl-w.svg)