COPYCAT TACTICS : EUROPE'S LARGE AIRLINES ARE RESPONDING TO THE CHALLENGES POSED BY LOW-COST COMPETITORS WITH LOWER FARES AND SIMPLER PRICING

Europe's large airlines are responding to low-cost competitors by simplifying fare structures and reducing fares. A few are also starting up their own low-frills spin-offs, such as SAS's Snowflake, but most are hoping to try new approaches to pricing to please their customers. Many leisure travelers fly by charter or holiday packages, and the European carriers have been slower to adopt convenient online booking. But British Airways, Air France, Scandinavian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lined, Finnair, KLM, and Austrian Airlines are all poised for simplifying fares and adopting policies like one-way booking, speedier boarding and online purchases. The article describes specifics of the new policies by each major European carrier.