abhishreshthaa
Abhijeet S
Northwest Airlines, Inc. (often abbreviated NWA), was a major United States[1] airline headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota, near Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Northwest had three major hubs in the United States: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, and Memphis International Airport. Northwest also operated flights from its Asian hub at Narita International Airport (Tokyo). Transatlantic flights were operated from its European hub at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in cooperation with its partner airline KLM.
As of 2006, Northwest was the world's sixth largest airline in terms of domestic and international scheduled passenger miles flown and the U.S.'s sixth largest airline in terms of domestic passenger miles flown.[2] In addition to operating one of the largest domestic route networks in the U.S., Northwest carried more passengers across the Pacific Ocean (5.1 million in 2004) than any other U.S. carrier, and carried more domestic air cargo than any other American passenger airline.[3] It was the only U.S. combination carrier (passenger and cargo service) operating dedicated Boeing 747 freighters. The airline, along with its then-parent company, Northwest Airlines Corporation and subsidiaries, operated under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection which, in the United States, allows continued operation during the reorganization effort, not cessation of flights as in the case in some countries. Northwest emerged from bankruptcy protection on May 31, 2007.
Northwest Airlines' regional flights were operated under the name Northwest Airlink by Mesaba Airlines, Pinnacle Airlines, and Compass Airlines. Northwest Airlines was a minority owner of Midwest Airlines, holding a 40% stake in the company.[4] Its frequent flyer program was called WorldPerks, which was merged into Delta's frequent flyer program, SkyMiles on October 1, 2009, following the merger. Northwest Airlines' tagline was "Now you're flying smart."
Strengths
* Despite downturns, over time air travel continues to grow
* Public acceptance of air travel as both a fast and safe way to travel
* Airline staff is highly trained and experienced
* Airlines have the ability to segment the market allowing them the ability to establish different levels of service and make associated pricing decisions
Weaknesses
* Airlines have a high spoilage rate compared to most other industries. Once a flight leaves the gate, an empty seat is lost and non-revenue producing.
* Aircraft is expensive and requires huge capital outlays
* Large workforces spread over large geographic areas, including international points, require continual communication and monitoring
* While the business climate can change quickly, airlines have difficulty making quick schedule and aircraft changes due to leases, staffing commitments and other factors
Opportunities
* Airline market growth offers continual expansion opportunities for both leisure and business destinations
* Technology advances can result in cost savings, from more fuel efficient aircraft to more automated processes on the ground
* Link-ups with other carriers can greatly increase passenger volumes. By coordinating schedules, airlines can offer service to destinations via a code share agreement with a partner carrier
Threats
* A global economic downturn negatively affects leisure, optional travel, as well as business travel
* The price of fuel is now the greatest cost for many airlines. An upward spike can destabilize the business model
* Terrorist attack anywhere in the world can negatively affect air travel
* Government intervention can result in new costly rules or unexpected new international competition
As of 2006, Northwest was the world's sixth largest airline in terms of domestic and international scheduled passenger miles flown and the U.S.'s sixth largest airline in terms of domestic passenger miles flown.[2] In addition to operating one of the largest domestic route networks in the U.S., Northwest carried more passengers across the Pacific Ocean (5.1 million in 2004) than any other U.S. carrier, and carried more domestic air cargo than any other American passenger airline.[3] It was the only U.S. combination carrier (passenger and cargo service) operating dedicated Boeing 747 freighters. The airline, along with its then-parent company, Northwest Airlines Corporation and subsidiaries, operated under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection which, in the United States, allows continued operation during the reorganization effort, not cessation of flights as in the case in some countries. Northwest emerged from bankruptcy protection on May 31, 2007.
Northwest Airlines' regional flights were operated under the name Northwest Airlink by Mesaba Airlines, Pinnacle Airlines, and Compass Airlines. Northwest Airlines was a minority owner of Midwest Airlines, holding a 40% stake in the company.[4] Its frequent flyer program was called WorldPerks, which was merged into Delta's frequent flyer program, SkyMiles on October 1, 2009, following the merger. Northwest Airlines' tagline was "Now you're flying smart."
Strengths
* Despite downturns, over time air travel continues to grow
* Public acceptance of air travel as both a fast and safe way to travel
* Airline staff is highly trained and experienced
* Airlines have the ability to segment the market allowing them the ability to establish different levels of service and make associated pricing decisions
Weaknesses
* Airlines have a high spoilage rate compared to most other industries. Once a flight leaves the gate, an empty seat is lost and non-revenue producing.
* Aircraft is expensive and requires huge capital outlays
* Large workforces spread over large geographic areas, including international points, require continual communication and monitoring
* While the business climate can change quickly, airlines have difficulty making quick schedule and aircraft changes due to leases, staffing commitments and other factors
Opportunities
* Airline market growth offers continual expansion opportunities for both leisure and business destinations
* Technology advances can result in cost savings, from more fuel efficient aircraft to more automated processes on the ground
* Link-ups with other carriers can greatly increase passenger volumes. By coordinating schedules, airlines can offer service to destinations via a code share agreement with a partner carrier
Threats
* A global economic downturn negatively affects leisure, optional travel, as well as business travel
* The price of fuel is now the greatest cost for many airlines. An upward spike can destabilize the business model
* Terrorist attack anywhere in the world can negatively affect air travel
* Government intervention can result in new costly rules or unexpected new international competition