Low-cost carrier industry: A focus on Germanwings strategy

Essay from the year 2007 in the subject Business economics - General, grade: 1,0, Edinburgh Napier University, course: Economics of Business Strategy, language: English, abstract: Since the world¿s first airline company has been established (German Airship Transport Corporation in 1909), especially the new style of low-cost airlines increased the competition on the market for commercial flights. Towards the end of the century low-cost airlines offered first no-frills products at a low price. The concept originated in the U.S., before it spread to Europe in the early 1990¿s and subsequently to the rest of the world (Chan 2000). One main reason for the accelerated increase of low-cost flights can be seen in the EU enlargement, where open skies arrangements were extended. As a result low-cost routes were established by existing and new operators. The main characteristic of this new strategic orientation was the lower operating cost structure than this of the traditional market participants. The traditional airline industry had to face an essential change in the market, with an increase of competition and new business models. Focusing on Europe, there were only a few low-cost airlines before the year of 2000. However, today about 60 low-cost carriers moved mainstream in Europe with a total market share of 24%, whereas in Germany 23 low-cost airlines operate (Berster 2007)... ...To evaluate the specific strategy of Germanwings it is necessary to set limits to the field of study. After introducing the company itself, the strategic position will be evaluated by focusing on Germany. Thus, Germanwings will be compared to the operators acting in this country. Therefore, it is useful to introduce a strategic mapping and the analysis of price practices focusing on Germanwings. Furthermore, important individual measures of the company will be explained which soften the impact of the above mentioned external influencing factors (PEST-analysis). Finally, some up-to-date measures of the company will conclude its strategic orientation.