Slowing and Heading Down

Our friends over at CAPA have been pushing out interesting data of late.

Much of their analysis is pointing to a more restrained world - particularly in the USA. They have recently shone their light on the seeming split in the US market between the big 4 and the "others".

I strongly urge you to reach this article as it is a good analysis.

At this point - the oligopoly of the US market is pushing prices higher and higher while capacity is being withdrawn.

I just wonder what the cost is to the US economy of the freedom the airlines have in the market to raise prices with seeming impunity. And who seems to be leading the charge to higher rates these days? Yup - Southwest. They have initiated more price rises this year than any other airline.

Cheers

Amadeus and Open Systems - Really?

So Amadeus is trying to promote its credentials as an Open Systems company.

You might want to just take the test and see their answers to their own questions. The one that really caught my eye was this question.

"Which of the following companies regularly use and promote open systems?"

The options were clearly contrived and the answer - well Google of course. Except the definition of Google and its behaviour might challenge anyone's definitions of "Open".

Google has been a great opener for new systems by making things free that used to cost. At the time everyone was in wonder of this capability. Now some are starting to question that openness.

Given Amadeus's current thrust to become Google's preferred supplier of content for air fare products - this might just be a nice way for them to give a compliment to the Googleplex. Perhaps Amadeus is striving hard to become the other "A" in the AGFA empires.

Just a little food for thought on Sunday.