World Business Briefing | Europe: Switzerland: Airline Scales Back
By Alison Langley (NYT)
Published: May 03, 2003
Acknowledging that its initial strategy of focusing on first-class and business-class travelers failed, Swiss International Air said that it would drop more routes, lay off more workers and set up a new discount short-haul subsidiary. Swiss International, cobbled together late in 2001 by the Swiss business establishment to replace the bankrupt Swissair, is losing 40 million Swiss francs a month and has been told by both its lenders and the Swiss government not to expect any fresh aid. William L. Meaney, the airline's chief financial officer, said that the airline had to direct its efforts ''not to what we think the customer wants, but what the market is telling us the customer is willing to pay for.'' Alison Langley (NYT)
Yes Mr Meaney has the experience QF are looking for. At least the Swiss saw the light quickly (he lasted about 9mths) and dumped him.