Vancouver International Airport

Steady demand fuels strong revenue performance for Canadian carriers in first quarter

Favourable demand trends helped Canada’s two main carriers record strong unit revenue performance year-over-year during 1Q2012. But the similarities end there as WestJet recorded a profit of CAD68.3 million (USD68.6 million) while Air Canada widened its loss from CAD19 million (USD19.1 million) to CAD210 million (USD210 million) year-over-year as its fuel expense grew by CAD147 million (USD147.7 million). Both carriers face challenges heading into the rest of year as WestJet has revised its cost guidance upwards and Air Canada continues to manage the fallout from its prolonged labour strife.

WestJet’s 6% growth in passenger unit revenues beat the carrier’s own forecast as CEO Gregg Saretsky explained the revenue growth allowed WestJet to fully recover the 19.6% rise in fuel costs the airline recorded year-over-year.

Total revenue at WestJet increased 15.3% during 1Q to CAD891 million (USD895.2 million) as yields increased 4.8% on a 8.8% rise in supply.

Air New Zealand hones in on long-haul restructure as first half profit falls

Air New Zealand is nearing a conclusion of a restructure of its loss-making long-haul network. At the peak of losses in the six months to 30-Jun-2011, the operation lost in excess of NZD1 million (USD833,700) a week. While the losses were exacerbated by high fuel prices and weakened demand from the Feb-2011 Christchurch earthquake and the Mar-2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami, ANZ has seen the entrance of price-aggressive long-haul carriers that give reason to strategically enhance its position across all markets.

CEO Rob Fyfe has said no long-haul market has been significantly positive or negative, unlike with Qantas’ Aug-2011 restructure in which losses had been heavy in Europe and Asia. Adjustments to the long-haul network, some already implemented with others to be announced in coming weeks, comprise adjusting frequency and capacity to existing and new routes, working with partners, bolstering ancillary revenue and evaluating aircraft capacity as well as fare and product structure.

New Cebu Pacific long-haul operation could push out Philippine Airlines but may require hybrid model

The new plan from leading low-cost Filipino carrier Cebu Pacific to offer long-haul services from 3Q2013 represents not just the fourth low-cost long-haul operation in Asia, but the first time such a carrier has potential to force a full-service rival – Philippine Airlines (PAL) – out of business.

Cebu Pacific will benefit from the Philippines’ extremely price sensitive market that has seen LCCs achieve a staggering 80% share of the domestic market and a fast-growing share of the regional international market. Demand for low-cost long-haul services will come primarily from the large visiting friends and relative (VFR) and migrant worker market. But Cebu’s new low-cost long-haul operation will also benefit from growing tourism and potentially the ability to transfer passengers over a geographically convenient hub if Cebu decides to stray from its original point-to-point model.

While PAL is the nation’s sole long-haul carrier, its lack of global alliance membership, relatively small domestic operation and higher cost base create low barriers for entry. National sentiment for Asia’s oldest airline may run high, but as seen in the Philippines’ domestic market, passengers vote with wallets.