Easyjet cost strategy

Essay by luis_edinburgh July 2004

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Stelios's avowed intention in entering into the budget airline industry was to take on any business that was potentially profitable. From the figures available, easyJet is successfully completing its founder's ambition with turnover increasing by 67% in 1997-1998, gross profit margin increasing from 15 -20% and with a 2.3M profit before taxation being achieved. Meeting these overall aims was made possible by a set of strategies and the achievement of a system that corresponded to key success factors in the budget sector of the airline industry.

Cost advantage strategies

Among easyJet's strategic choices in terms of reducing operating costs were the following:

· No on-board catering except for snacks at additional cost

· This allowed for fewer cabin crew

· No business class seats, thus maximising the aircraft's capacity

· Use of regional airports with lower airport charges.

· Thus quicker turnaround and maximum use of assets made allowing an above average n° flights per day

· Young employees thus lower wage costs.

· Outsourcing

· Direct marketing, use of the Internet, cutting out travel agents and thus saving on commission.

Taking the list point by point, does this strategy succeed in cutting costs and providing service in line with what customers want? To what extent does the cost cutting strategy fit with its environment?

· Absence of catering: short hauls, catering not necessary. It allows for faster turnaround. It is linked to shaping customers' expectations. Stelios's strategy is logical: he compares taking a plane to taking a bus. It is consistent that there should be no catering if the whole process is speeded up and if the event of taking a plane is more banal.

· Absence of business class: this gains seats and maximizes capacity, but the difficulty is to attract business customers by some other means.