Today at The Beat
Live in Cleveland (don'tcha wish you were here?), lively moderator and MC Dave Hilfman, SVP of sales for Continental, led with this provocative comment about airline cuts.
He cited that 4th quarter cuts had exceeded 8 percent, but in Q109 we should see "12, 13 and 14 percent cuts." This is of course in response to the continued volatility of jet fuel, which yesterday closed at $120 per barrel, an unprecedented one day increase. He also mentioned that every $1 increase costs Continental and additional $45 million in fuel per year.
Have you asked yourself what the implications are on your business of these cuts?
What are your "choke points"?
Higher airfares
Reduced capacity
Reduced frequency
Nearly 100 cities losing service altogether
Fewer travelers to consume your product or service
Dependency on air travelers for your revenue stream
Focus of current technologies solely on the air traveler
It is time to get a plan in place. I'd love to hear some of your ideas of what you are doing.
~ Chicke Fitzgerald