As goes Austrian - So will go many other carriers UNLESS they change.
September 26, 2009
Austrian Airlines to cut more jobs | news.moneycentral.msn.com
Austrian has lost its independence. it is now firmly a part of the Lufthansa group of companies. Are there lessons here for other airlines? Who is next for the spotlight, Aer Lingus, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Japan Airlines? Is the consolidation inevitable? This analysis tries to address these fundamental questions
BA - Short Sellers Favorite Airline
September 21, 2009
British Airways pension tension | ftalphaville.ft.com
British Airways' pension deficit is the matter of much conjecture. It is shortly to be revalued. Why then is there a significant influx of short players into BA? And what does this mean for BA's global ambitions?
Does 4 Sick Airlines Make One Healthy One?
September 20, 2009
American, BA, Qantas eye joint offer to JAL-sources | news.yahoo.com
All legacy carriers bar a few special cases are suffering at the hands of the GFC.So it would seem illogical that in an industry that has significantly underperformed as well as facing an uncertain future would want four fairly sickly players to come together.
BA Too Poor To Shell Out For JAL - Needs Sugar Daddy Fast
September 20, 2009
British Air Says Trying To Keep JAL In Alliance | online.wsj.com
British Airways needs all the friends it can get these days. So while it has been so far left out of the global realignment of the airline industry. Is this the right time? Is this even possible given their rather weak balance sheet these days? What are the issues and risks associated - read on if you want to see if BA can support JAL's survival fight.
Which Keiretsu For JAL? Skyteam or OneWorld
September 20, 2009
American, BA, Qantas eye joint offer to JAL-sources | news.yahoo.com
JAL's somewhat precarious state has fueled a frenzy for control of the number two Japanese Carrier. With Star Alliance firmly entrenched with ANA - a win for either remaining consortium could significantly alter the balance of global airline alliances - indeed possibly the make up of the Global Airline Market.
We need to better understand the entire automotive industry ecosystem
January 12, 2009
U.S. Drivers Keep Autos Longer, Shun Showrooms on Job-Loss Risk | www.bloomberg.com
I was on the phone the other day with a colleague from Freescale and I was frankly surprised to hear that the decline that they are seeing in their production/demand is due to the automotive meltdown. Because I'm only peripherally involved in the industry (through GPS and indash infotainment), I really didn't think through that car manufacturers were a primary consumer of semi-conductors.
As oil continues its decline, can it prop up the travel industry's slumping profitability picture?
January 12, 2009
Oil Prices Hit $86 a Barrell | www.msnbc.msn.com
Jet fuel is one of the top 3 cost items for airlines. Since the summer of 2008, the price of oil has declined from $140 barrel to under $40 a barrel today. This should be very good news for investors in airline stocks, as it should directly flow to the bottom line if airline ticket prices hold steady. Likewise, cruise lines' profitability is closely tied to this volatile commodity and the major players in the cruise industry could benefit from the continued decline in pricing. But right now, what we face is a need to stimulate travel, which is normally done through price reductions. Will these suppliers pass on the cost reductions to consumers?
The travel ecosystem is shifting, beginning with the GDSs and online players
January 8, 2009
Expedia Vet Takes Orbitz Helm, Sabre Vet Takes Travelocity Wheel | www.btnonline.com
Both Orbitz and Travelocity this week announced new leaders at the helm. Both have cut costs substantially due to reduced revenues and profitability. Orbitz now has a technology savvy, operationally capable, marketing focused executive who is talking already about social media, which implies new models afoot for the OTA. Orbitz had been outpaced by Expedia and Travelocity in the advertising model/social media capabilities, but does it really help them to do a "me too" offering to match Trip Advisor and iGoUGo? Just weeks ago, Amadeus founding CEO Jose Tazon stepped down in favor of his number two, David Jones, who had been the de facto day to day leader for some time, as Jose managed board and investor relationships with their private equity owners, BC and Cinven. Sabre puts its own COO at the helm of Travelocity, not replacing him in the Sabre organization, but instead splitting his job amongst his peers. Is it time to go from 3 GDS companies down to two?
January 7, 2009
Orbitz Names Harford CEO, Plans More Cost Cuts | online.wsj.com
For the second time in 60 days - Orbitz has announced a major cut back. This time the cuts are even greater than those of December. A new CEO to replace ousted Steve Barnhart - Barney Harford comes in from Expedia.
The lines of travel distribution are blurring
December 30, 2008
New Report Evaluates Trends in Online Travel Market | www.travelagentcentral.com
The PhoCusWright report that spawned this article reports that the online travel distribution market has shifted to 61% being sold via supplier sites (otherwise known as consumer direct) and 39% is sold via online travel agents. Suppliers are trying to wring more dollars out of frequent, loyal bookers, which means increased focus on personalization, loyalty and community. OTAs, by comparison, are trying to wring any dollars out of their mass of unconverted lookers, as the almighty transaction gives ground to eyeballs and emerging advertising-based lines of business.
Switzerland sues Google over Street View privacy concerns
November 13, 2009
Here Come the Droids! A brief review of Verizon Wireless' new Droid line-up.
November 11, 2009
October 30, 2009
Vodafone Orange Iphone Deal Ends Two Years Exclusivity Of O2 In UK
October 5, 2009
IPhone Coma Mode puts Apple in the ICU
September 19, 2009