Home > Air Canada > 2001 > Review

Taken November 2001 from Calgary to Toronto

There are some serious problems with the airline industry but what we as consumers have to realize that Air Canada is the nations airline, they need our support. They are getting criticized way too much from the media, Devils that want ratings and feed the public with false information. Sure they have made some poor management decisions in the past. In 1999 when they acquired Canadian Regional, which was a big step for Air Canada. The government of Canada didn't force it on Air Canada to buy Canadian Regional but also expressed the they did not want to have an American airline flying inter Canadian routes. The government offered to fund Air Canada and also give them a huge loan. Air Canada was the only company that could possibly manage to handle a merger this size. They thought they could support the expenses due record-breaking years in 1997-1998 in passenger volume but due to economic slowdown in the Tech industry and terrorism, things didn't work out as planed. Air Canada could of never of planned for these issues. It was a calculated risk they were willing to take with some backing from the government that fell short. Air Canada will recover but it will take some time. The world is in an economic revolution and only the strong and well-managed companies, which are changing with new methods of business, will survive. In the airline industry, the companies with the biggest alliance will be successful. Air Canada will be our leader. We as Canadians seem to think that we should copy the United States when it comes to competition. They have a much condensed and population nation, (290 000 000 million people). We are 30 000 000 million at most and spread out all over the country. Explain to me why we should have more than one major international airline. There are countries in Europe, which are a lot more populated and yet do quite well for them selves. It cost Air Canada thousands to cater the small towns and cities in Canada and many times have to fly a plain empty. They have no choice in this matter but to fly these routes because the government obliges them too do so. West Jet will take over the short haul business soon but are very careful with which ones.

They do have to make some changes with the way they deal with public relations and with there own staff. They don't inform the front line of their staff which creates ignorance and reflects on there service. Robert Milton has to make better decisions and live with them or get out but we have to cut him some slack. With Canada 3000 falling it might speed up with the turn around. They're one of the largest and safest airlines in the world and that is great for Canada.