JetMaster From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (7 years 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 5060 times:
Swiss news magazine FACTS published an interesting article on tensions within Star Alliance, including some slamming comments of SAS head Jörgen Lindegaard. Especially Swiss International Airlines joing the alliance seems to be an annoyance for him and others.
The article is in German only, but I translated some passages:
Star Alliance is a "bunch of ailing airlines", says Jörgen Lindegaard, boss of Scandinavian SAS, a founding member of the alliance. Several members wrestle with earings problems (Austrian, LOT, TAP, Thai Airways), partners United Airlines and US Airways are under bankruptcy protection. "Loss-making Swiss fits well there", the SAS teased.
Earlier criticism was already expressed by Austrian head Vagn Soerensen, a former SAS manager, after it had been clear Swiss would enter Star Alliance thanks to new owner Lufthansa.
Known as a usually reserved person, Lindegaard now follows that path. He likes to provoke Swiss as there has always been a love-hate relationship between the Scandianvians and the Swiss. (...) While Swissair went out of business, Lindegaard initiated a cost savings programme at SAS. By the end of 2005 the airline will be profitable again.
In 2004 Lindegaard introduced a three-class system on European services and offers one-way fares without extra charges. The concept is complex but it helps to increase both loads and yields.
Lindegaard regards the concept as a precursor within the alliance and is convinced the other members could also operate more economically by adapting it, especially Swiss. "We negotiate", he says and the deal he is after is about Swiss adapting the concept in exchange for transfering parts of the SAS Spain traffic via Zurich.
On the long term, his target is a "basic ticket" which can be upgraded individually by the customer. His vision: "Like purchasing a computer, customers should decide which extras to add."
SNATH From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 3234 posts, RR: 24 Reply 1, posted (7 years 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 4979 times:
JM,
Thanks for taking the time to translate it. Interesting comments from Mr Lindegaard. I've never flown them but I'm personally happy that Swiss is joining *A as it gives me more *A options from BOS (provided that they will maintain their flight of course). And I think that's the whole point behind such alliances: more options for the passengers.
Quoting JetMaster (Thread starter): On the long term, his target is a "basic ticket" which can be upgraded individually by the customer. His vision: "Like purchasing a computer, customers should decide which extras to add."
So, a bit like O'Leary's dream then? But, in the case of O'Leary the "basic ticket" will cost nothing...
Tony
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Aviasian From Singapore, joined Jan 2001, 1453 posts, RR: 16 Reply 4, posted (7 years 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 4857 times:
I don't recall SAS having been consistently profitable . . . although it is certainly now benefitting from better yield and traffic.
If it had previously been unprofitable for periods of time, that it did at one time also "fit well there".
While my personal experience with Swiss International Airlines has been horrible (contrasting with my positive experiences with Swissair), I still think that under the direction of Lufthansa, Swiss should be given a fair chance to make itself a worthy Star Alliance member.
If SAS had always been profitable, then of course my views are purely academic.
Mika From Sweden, joined Jul 2000, 2788 posts, RR: 4 Reply 7, posted (7 years 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 4396 times:
Quoting JetMaster (Thread starter): always been a love-hate relationship between the Scandianvians and the Swiss
Where the hell did he get that from? A complete bogus statement..if there's any nation that we have a love/relationship to it is Norway. I am certain that 99,99% of sweden think of Switzerland as any other nation in Europe. What the Swiss think i have no idea about though but i can't understand why there would be any relationship at all (let alone a love/hate relationship) between us, we are not even neighbouring countries!
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25869 posts, RR: 79 Reply 8, posted (7 years 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 4390 times:
Quoting JetMaster (Thread starter): On the long term, his target is a "basic ticket" which can be upgraded individually by the customer. His vision: "Like purchasing a computer, customers should decide which extras to add."
Not a bad idea, though I not if I have to pay for miles
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
JetMaster From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 9, posted (7 years 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 4368 times:
Quoting Mika (Reply 7): Where the hell did he get that from?
He was refering to the ever changing cooperation/rivalry relationships between SAS and Swissair. "The Scandinavians" means SAS, "the Swiss" means Swissair and its successor - not the countries and their people in general.
HEGAN From Spain, joined Feb 2005, 211 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (7 years 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 4349 times:
Quote: Star Alliance is a "bunch of ailing airlines", says Jörgen Lindegaard, boss of Scandinavian SAS, a founding member of the alliance. Several members wrestle with earings problems (Austrian, LOT, TAP, Thai Airways), partners United Airlines and US Airways are under bankruptcy protection. "Loss-making Swiss fits well there", the SAS teased.
What a paragraph!!! in a couple of sentences you see the glory of present aviation industry.
For me, some time ago Star Alliance started to be too big to manage it properly and to cooperate effectively the airlines with each others. Maybe a more balanced alliance is better. Sky Team could be a good example of size and kind of cooperation.
Agur,
HEGAN
HEGAN: Euskadiko Aeronautikako eta Espazioko Clusterra
Don't know about the others (including SAS) but TAP is making profit and has been recovering in tthe past years. This year it will be the oil prices that may impact negativily the accounts.
Quoting JetMaster (Thread starter): Earlier criticism was already expressed by Austrian head Vagn Soerensen,
Not surprised, Austrian Airlines (like TAP) were members of the Qualiflyer Group and I believe they don't miss that time.... TAP almost had the same end as Sabena had due to Swissair...
CPH757 From Denmark, joined Sep 2005, 684 posts, RR: 2 Reply 12, posted (7 years 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 4291 times:
With all the changes the management at SAS has made during the last years, it's somehow understandable that Lindegaard teases the other carriers.
Although SAS doesn't make profit yet, I have lots of respect for the accomplishment they have made, even though it turns out not to be profitable. It takes the right people to take all those conflicts that the SAS management have taken.
Perhaps Lindegaard is referring to the other carriers not trying to hard as he think he has done himself?
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SHUPirate1 From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 3661 posts, RR: 18 Reply 13, posted (7 years 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 4274 times:
Quoting JetMaster (Thread starter): Austrian, LOT, TAP, Thai Airways), partners United Airlines and US Airways are under bankruptcy protection.
In addition to all of the other carriers, could somebody please inform this doofus that US Airways emerged from bankruptcy protection on Tuesday?
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FriendlySkies From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 4015 posts, RR: 5 Reply 14, posted (7 years 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 4238 times:
Perhaps he should worry about his own earnings problems and just STFU...didn't SAS almost go bankrupt a couple years ago?
PKK From Denmark, joined Apr 2003, 184 posts, RR: 2 Reply 16, posted (7 years 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 3933 times:
Kudos to Lindegaard for straight talking again.
I have previously tried to give some background and open a discussion about Airline Execs and their "metal"
OK I am biased as a Dane, with Lindegaard being the first Dane to run SAS, but so far, despite others here expressing their disappointment with SAS and Lindegaard, I still have respect for his achievements.
JetMaster From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 18, posted (7 years 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 2901 times:
Quoting Jyatlantic (Reply 17): I hope they don't withdraw from the alliance. I need their services for next August to OSL.
No chance. Lindegaard clearly said he wants to convince other members to adopt his "invention", no doubt he wants to be a "leader" within Star. SAS will stay for sure.
Gilesdavies From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2003, 2903 posts, RR: 1 Reply 19, posted (7 years 8 months 3 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 2031 times:
He didn't express any comments about BMI...
What a pitty!
Would be interesting to hear an airline professionals opinion of BMI and how they change routes every five mins, don't know what direction they are following (either as a LCC or a full service airline), etc...
HBIHLtoEZE From Switzerland, joined Aug 2004, 280 posts, RR: 2 Reply 21, posted (7 years 8 months 3 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 1901 times:
love-hate relationship with Sweden???
If there is one such country it has to be Austria (a country by the way that is the mirror, thanksfully, for our political mistakes in the past). They just got the better downhillers...
As far as I can tell Sweden (as well as all other Scandinavian counties) are very popular among the Swiss; I can not remember one single pejorative statement.
Jörgen Lindegaard should be angry at LH...maybe there is a bittersweet relationship with Gremany??
Cheers,
let us overcome nationalism
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Nethkt From Thailand, joined Apr 2001, 987 posts, RR: 3 Reply 22, posted (7 years 8 months 3 weeks 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 1732 times:
I'd agree that STAR has too many ailing airlines.
But I'd say that all airlines have problem!! All full-service airlines are ailing and struggling hard in the business. Gosh, this is so sad for me.
I hope that everything will be better. UA, US, SK, LX...hope they will get through this crisis. They used to be one of the best in the business, it will be very sad to see them go.
Don't be annoyed knowing the passengers around you are non-revs and op-upgraders, be grateful for them. Life is beautifu
Orion737 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 23, posted (7 years 8 months 3 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 1672 times:
What I find interesting is that several Star Alliance memebers are now no-frills airlines in Europe. SAS charge for a cup of coffee and BMI and Austrian are no-frills in Europe now too.
Danny From Poland, joined Apr 2002, 3484 posts, RR: 2 Reply 24, posted (7 years 8 months 3 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 1632 times:
Quoting JetMaster (Thread starter): Star Alliance is a "bunch of ailing airlines", says Jörgen Lindegaard, boss of Scandinavian SAS, a founding member of the alliance. Several members wrestle with earings problems (Austrian, LOT, TAP, Thai Airways), partners United Airlines and US Airways are under bankruptcy protection. "Loss-making Swiss fits well there", the SAS teased.
Did he forget that SAS hasn't seen profit for years as well?
Nethkt From Thailand, joined Apr 2001, 987 posts, RR: 3 Reply 25, posted (7 years 8 months 3 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 1569 times:
I don't see that TG's problem with earning is big deal.
TG invested a lot past few years just to be back to top 5 again. TG is also making many projects to save all the cost (even the labour cost in Thailand is still extremely cheap).
TG will surely be profitable and make good money again.
So I don't want to count TG as one ailing airlines in STAR.
SAS, Swiss, UA and US are the real ailing airlines!!
Don't be annoyed knowing the passengers around you are non-revs and op-upgraders, be grateful for them. Life is beautifu
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But, in the case of O'Leary the "basic ticket" will cost nothing...
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