Virgin Australia Current Economic Activity And Future Implications

Virgin Atlantic is clearly the cash cow of the Virgin Empire but we have undertaken a

Qantas’ financial performance has been very successful in recent years with the business recovering strongly from GFC and a large decrease in revenue to ear 377 million in 2010. The effective financial performance has been the result of effective profitability, liquidity, efficiency, return on capital, good solvency and growth including the establishment of a new airline (jet star).

Founded in Queensland Australia in 1920, Qantas has now become Australia 's biggest name in relation to domestic and international airline. Originally registered as the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited (QANTAS). Qantas is widely regarded as one of the world 's top airlines and one of the strongest brands in Australia. Over the years it has managed to build a reputation for excellence in

Virgin Australia which was formerly called Virgin Blue is the Australia’s second largest airline. The airline was started in 2000 by British business tycoon Sir Richard Branson and former Virgin Blue CEO Brett Godfrey. The airlines started as low-cost carrier, but went on to become a “new-world carrier” (Virgin Blue media release, 2011). This low cost airline went on to become a full-service airline by 2012 with the name of Virgin Australia. Since the year 2000 the airlines grew rapidly and posed threat to Qantas airline and over the years Virgin Blue looking at the marketing trends and characteristics of the aviation industry grew into a Full Service Airline and is considered a four star airline by research consultancy firm Skytrax.

The purpose of this report was to provide a strategic evaluation of the company Virgin Australia. The report begins by conducting a strategic analysis of Virgin, including an analysis of the external environment and an internal analysis of competitive strengths and weaknesses. The report then identifies the strategic direction and objectives of Virgin Australia, including the vision, mission, strategic objectives and stakeholders of the company. The report moves on to explore strategic choices of Virgin Australia by identifying the key broad business level and

The first part of this report provides a broad introduction into the business of Virgin Australian by examining its principal sources of revenue, its nature of operating, its competitors, the market share and the regulations affecting its operations. From this, it can be seen that Virgin Australia operates in a very competitive environment and generates revenue by the core business of passenger and cargo transport.

In 2011, Qantas suffered complications from inside and outside the brand. Several job cuts and structural changes, their focus on returns to stock holders and not its responsibilities to the share - holders all added to their external issues. The external issues that rose were the increase of new competitors, changes in consumer decision making, the high demand of customers for lower rates and better quality. Lastly, Australians began their international travels with other international brands. 2016 has proven to be a turnaround year for Qantas relying largely on the lowered prices of oil and the falling Australian currency. Qantas recovered from a $2.8 billion loss in 2014 to a net profit of $688 million within six months. The turnaround has been described as “one of the most remarkable in history”

Owned by parent company Qantas, the Jetstar Group is comprised of a network of value-based air carriers that deliver passenger services across Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region (About Jetstar, 2012). The Jetstar Group's most recent five-year strategy has been to "turn the international business around [by] reducing investment in underperforming business areas and directing capital towards growth opportunities" (Qantas Reports Strong Full-Year Profit in Challenging Conditions, 2011). In addition, the Jetstar Group intends to "focus on improving the customer experience, develop a stronger and broader alliance

Virgin Atlantic has a clear mission for its operation. Company is sensitive towards the Security, safety and consistent delivery. Company believes that those three aspects are the basic foundation of its operation and entire strategy.

Virgin Australia is Australia’s second largest domestic airline, commenced in operations back in 2000 as a low-cost carrier (LCC) and has successfully survived in the market. Major shareholders include Air New Zealand, Singapore Airline and Etihad Airways. The airline rebranded in 2011 as a part of their 5-year turnaround

The threat of new entrants in the airline industry is very low for Virgin Atlantic, this is because the barrier for both high entry and exit barrier is very high. These barriers can stop new airlines not to enter into the industry. The entry and exit can be difficult for Virgin because there are a number of regulatory factors. For new airlines to enter, there must be large capital investment human resources that are skilled

Qantas or as it is nicknamed “The Flying Kangaroo” is the largest airline service that runs continuously and the second oldest in the world. It was established in 1920 as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited and first flew internationally in 1935 (Hanson, 2011). The growth of Qantas has been substantial with the most significant progression being the Australian government selling its domestic carrier Australian Airlines to Qantas in 1992 and the announcement of privatisation soon after (Hanson,2011). Throughout this journey of growth there has been extensive changes including flight costs, pay disputes, strikes and shutdowns, industrial action by pilots and technical staff.

For the purposes of this paper, the Qantas Group is narrowed down to one of its business units, which is Qantas. Furthermore, the competitors considered are all home grown Australian airlines. At present, Jet Star, Virgin Blue, and Tiger Airways are all side-by-side Qantas in the endeavor to win the hearts

Domestically Qantas Airways Limited has only one competitor in the market, that being Virgin Australia Holdings Limited creating a duopoly. As they are parent companies of smaller airlines. Both companies offer a cheaper airline option (Qantas’ jetstar and Virgin’s Tiger airways) as well as a more corporate option (Qantas and Virgin airlines).

3) Does the Virgin Group, as a corporate parent, add value to its businesses? If so how?