Air Canada Aeroplan - Ever wonder what Air Canada could have acheived if...

...they took half of the money and effort they've put into starting 4 "new" airlines and instead put it into improving service, working conditions, equipment, benefits, and the like?

Instead they are cutting back benefits and service, employees and benefits, seat pitch, and so on, all apparently to finance building an aviation empire.

'The fastest way to become a millionaire is to be a billionaire and start an airline.' Attributed to Richard Branson, billionaire eccentric and founder and owner of Virgin Airlines, among other things.

So what happens if you start four airlines?

Hear, hear! I echo your comments and wholeheartedly agree!

I could understand merging the regionals under one brand, but the discounts just make no sense. It's tried and failed strategy by others that have more experience and more money than AC. And it is my prediction a strategy that will ultimately lead through bankruptcy court.

A lot of corporate energy will be invested in these new initiatives. Energy that could be more productive beefing up service delivery to keep customers and bring back those who have left.

Ken:

Never have truer words been spoken. Take the money from repainting the aircraft, rebranding the airline, mango uniforms and everything else they have to do to launch yet another airline (or the same airline served in another format) and provide us with basic customer service. Spend the money on your employees so they understand what customer service is all about, how to answer the phone, how to deal with the upset customer at the counter, how to treat people like they matter.

Oh how far they could go...

"And it is my prediction a strategy that will ultimately lead through bankruptcy court."

I would find it unlikely. Bankrupcy might lead to the inquiry, inquiry might lead to AC senior mngmt revealing facts rather inconveniant to the present govmnt. That's why AC allowed to start Zip (of course after we have said few tough words for the benefit of the media), which I dont mind as long as the mainline brought to the ops and customer service standards it used to operate under. Hope tt they will analize mistakes made by other mainlines tt attempted to enter this market. Experience brought by Steven Smith will certainly help.
P.S. Isn't LH & BA starting some LoCost operation again?


[This message has been edited by Steyr (edited 04-20-2002).]