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Mr. Haagensen, we are in the middle of a summer vacation. How is the state of operational mind at Easyjet ?
In recent months, we have suffered severe weather conditions from storms and strikes. Overall, we had to cancel 2600 flights this quarter. Above all, the strike of the air traffic controllers in France, which also had an impact on the operations in Basle, embarrassed us. We have a lot more breakdowns than the other years. But this affects all airlines. As an industry, we have to find a solution with the air traffic controllers and another for more capacity in the sky.
How do these problems affect financially?
If we have to cancel flights, it will affect our profits. If we have to book the guests who bought a ticket of 30 or 40 francs at the last moment on other flights, it costs us dearly. If it is a non-exceptional situation, we must also pay compensation to the EU. Finally, hotel rooms are added, in the last quarter there were 70,000 hotel room reservations. The financial impact is huge.
Ryanair is suffering even more, from other airlines like Air Berlin and Monarch Airline went bankrupt. Easyjet was the big profiteer. Does the effect continue?
We have seen the effect especially in winter on many routes and in different markets. In Berlin, for example, there will be more competition this summer. In the UK, the Monarch bankruptcy is another positive boost for us, but that too will soon return to normal.
Thomas Haagensen: The head of Easyjet Europe, aged 46, grew up in Geneva and studied in Lausanne. Image: Keystone / Georgios Kefal
The Brexit strategy of Easyjet was the creation of Easyjet Europe in Vienna. Are you satisfied with the implementation?
Yes, everything is going as planned. The aim is that all aircraft stationed in one of the EU-27 states be re-registered in Austrian aircraft. This will be a total of 130 to 140 machines, until today we have 117.
Another condition without a contract after Brexit is possible. How big is the uncertainty in Easyjet?
There is some uncertainty in all cases. But that's why we founded Easyjet Europe as a measure. If all planes are re-registered, then we can fly to Europe and Britain anyway.
Easyjet is expanding, adding new larger planes to its fleet and just increasing its earnings forecast by nearly ten percent. Where should you improve?
We still see a huge potential in the field of data. The best use will have a big positive effect on our costs. Recently, our Data Intelligence team started to work
What is the specific purpose of this team?
It's amazing what these engineers can do. You give them a stack of data, and they find something without even identifying a problem. For example, they have been able to improve the forecast of the number of passengers on board, based on the three variables Destination, Customer Type and Time. We started this project a few months ago and have already been able to reduce the waste of fresh food. It's just a simple little example. All this means that we can offer better prices.
Then prices will continue to decline
In general, ticket prices have declined recently. But ultimately, it varies from one market to another and from one route to the other. Where there is competition and where the airlines invest, prices fall. In Basel, where we were parking two more aircraft, there is now more capacity and more competition, which is putting pressure on prices.
What role has Basel Airport today for Easyjet?
Euro-Airport is important to us, which is why we have been investing continuously here in recent years. Eleven aircraft are based in Basel. We have a number one position that we want to defend.
What needs to change in Zurich to make the airport more interesting for Easyjet?
We have few connections to and from Zurich: opening hours, fees, capacities and slots. There are not many places in Zurich, the fees are not the lowest in Europe and the opening hours are not very good either. On the contrary, our strategy is to consolidate today 's position in Basel and Geneva. It makes more sense to focus on it
(Tages-Anzeiger)
Date created: 27.07.2018, 19:58
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