Originally Posted by
T-Vasis
John had to do what he did to Virgin for its survival. Low cost airlines only survive by continued growth in order to take advantages of economies of scale and market share. If you stop growing, your margins are eaten up by cost rises e.g. cogs, fuel, labour etc.
You can't just increase price in this environment. The customer type will transfer to bus, train, or not travel at all. And then you get further hammered by your competitor who has the scale and the capital, to undercut you, and continue to grow. It was a double sword for Virgin. It would be gone today. He did the only thing he could to ensure survival.
You're kidding right? Spending money in a time of transition when saving is imperative. The environment dictated an increase in fares - the RASK only increased for both companies when they were both to an unsustainable point. The EPS is indicative of the bad decisions that have been made over his tenure.
777Nine pretty much covered the main points, but I'll gladly add to it.
The acquisition of Tiger
The whole Bali debacle
Running 330's from Perth to Abu - costing millions when it didn't even happen
The ATR's
The
contest of 2014 with no winners
Hedging fuel incorrectly, with the ex-head of Caltex on your board
I honestly can't believe you'd sit there and say he (and the board) have made smart decisions, while he smugly sits in Business class and asks the LA - SYD inbound crew what he should name his new P1 (actually happened) after taking a bonus when the company is making its what, 6th straight loss?