Meng Sun 860983816
Case study 1-EasyJet EasyJet, one of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines, has competitive advantages because it adopts an efficiency-driven operational model, creating brand awareness, and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction. Also, it is important that easyJet was the first mover. Now easyJet is one of the leading low-cost airlines in Europe. All of the competitive advantages are sustainable. As its mission statement writes, “To provide our customer with safe, low-cost, good value, point-to-point air services. To offer a consistent and reliable product at fares appealing to leisure and business markets from our bases to a range of domestic and European destinations. To achieve this we will develop our people and establish lasting partnerships with our suppliers,” easyJet is doing the best it can to satisfy its customers.
Stelios Haji-Ioannou founded EasyJet in 1995. He was inspired by American low-cost carrier Southwest Airline and he modeled after Southwest Airlines but also added his own twists: avoid using agents and tickets, provide no-frilled travel and use brand new Boeing 737s. Stelios started with £5 millions that he received from his father. He operated two leased airplanes and one staff and chose Luton airport that was cheaper but still close to London downtown. The first easyJet flight was very successful because of its low price of £29 and extensive public relations and advertising. During 1995 to 1999, easyJet was expanding quickly. And in 1998, the company made profit for the first time. In 1992 the European airline industry was deregulated by legislation. Many small low-cost carriers came out but few succeed as easyJet did. According to Rogers, “of the 80 carriers that had begun operation after 1992, 60 had already gone bankrupt by 1996” (Rogers, 3). The first competitive advantage easyJet has is its