Is Ryanair Just Too Mean To Succeed In Canada?

Where: Canada

September 1, 2009 at 9:10 AM | by Omri | 3 Comments

Airline industry analysts are busying themselves by attempting to figure out if a LCC like Ryanair would fly in Canada, in more ways than one.

There are good arguments in favor of success; like Ryanair has an obnoxious habit of breaking into new markets, plus low-cost carriers are the only airlines not hemorrhaging money right now. But arguments against balance this out: Canada is a worst-case scenario for LCCs, with a huge amount of territory, a relatively low population density, and few secondary airports.

Even if Ryanair could overcome those initial obstacles, the airline still faces a unique problem in Canada. Canadians tend to prefer their service providers amiable and their experiences congenial. Check out how close this Canadian airline analyst gets to saying outright that Ryanair is just too unpleasant to succeed in the Canadian market. Thisclose:

It's unlikely Ryanair could play in the 'Canadian game,' he says. 'I can't envision a real, true low-cost carrier setting up in Canada,' says [Rick Erickson] of RP Erickson & Associates... Erickson hasn't flown on Ryanair, but did fly EasyJet, another European low-cost carrier, a few summers ago. It also has a first-come, first-served seating arrangement, and that alone turned him off. 'It was a cattle-car experience,' he recalls. 'The Canadian consumer wouldn't go for it.'

Writing off Ryanair is always dangerous. The airline has proven time and again that they can turn a profit from even the most open anti-customer hostility. But we wouldn't be totally surprised, and not the least bit disappointed, if an LCC that was simply nicer managed to lock up Canada first.

[Photo: bigpresh]

Related Stories:
· Ryanair might fly here but will CEO's ideas? [Canwest News Service / Canada.com]
· LCCs Coverage [Jaunted]
· Ryanair Coverage [Jaunted]

One of the worst things about Canada...

As an expat Brit, I'm quite dismayed that I haven't been able to afford to travel around Canada that much.

Routes between Vancouver / Calgary / Edmonton / Winnpeg are similar to European distances and passenger demand, but usually cost over $250. And iIf low mand is a problem, cheaper flights would certainly increase passenger numbers. Simply have 2 Ryanair operations in the east and west, let other carriers go across country.

Problem is, like with cell phones, Canadians are used to paying more for less because the large corporations in control always blame the country's size as an excuse to charge more, but Canadians never have the opportunity to make a choice with their wallets. It just needs 1 company to come in a shake it up - come on Ryanair, come over here and crack some corporate Canadian heads!

November 2, 2009 at 8:32 PM

3 Comments

Return to » Is Ryanair Just Too Mean To Succeed In Canada?

Damian Corrigan
Jaunted Reader

How are Canadians different?
Your initial comments about the logistical problems Ryanair would face in Canada are interesting. But you let down your article greatly with: "Canadians tend to prefer their service providers amiable and their experiences congenial." What on earth makes you set Canadians aside as expecting higher standards of service than other nationalities? You would have said the same of the British and the Irish, but Ryanair proved them wrong. If Ryanair are able to convince people they are cheap through their usual tactics, Canadians will be just as eager to forgo their usual high standards, I assure you.

September 2, 2009 at 4:59 PM

#Permalink

Brendan Waite
Jaunted Reader

Works elsewhere...
Australia with a slightly smaller population than Canada and similar problems with large territory, few secondary airports and a big spread of population manages to support one full service carrier (Qantas), one "new world carrier" (Virgin Blue) and two Low Cost Carriers (Jetstar and Tiger). I don't think wanting good, friendly service is something that is unique to Canadians, I believe that most people would like this, however if this price is right ($25 from Melbourne to Sydney) I'll happily squeeze into a seat and be ignored for a little while.

October 1, 2009 at 8:09 PM

#Permalink

nicemandan
Jaunted Member

One of the worst things about Canada...
...expensive flights!
As an expat Brit, I'm quite dismayed that I haven't been able to afford to travel around Canada that much.
Routes between Vancouver / Calgary / Edmonton / Winnpeg are similar to European distances and passenger demand, but usually cost over $250. And iIf low mand is a problem, cheaper flights would certainly increase passenger numbers. Simply have 2 Ryanair operations in the east and west, let other carriers go across country.
Problem is, like with cell phones, Canadians are used to paying more for less because the large corporations in control always blame the country's size as an excuse to charge more, but Canadians never have the opportunity to make a choice with their wallets. It just needs 1 company to come in a shake it up - come on Ryanair, come over here and crack some corporate Canadian heads!

November 2, 2009 at 8:32 PM

#Permalink

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