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Johan Lundgren took over as CEO of easyJet in December 2017 and, since joining the airline, has set out a significant increase in investment in easyJet Holidays, showcased a series of initiatives to increase business passengers and revealed plans to introduce a new loyalty programme. In an exclusive one-to-one conversation, lead by industry expert John Strickland at WTM London, the new easyJet boss talks about his plans to harness the power of data to improve customer proposition, reduce costs and increase revenue, reaffirms the company’s commitment to increase the proportion of female pilots and also addresses how the company are planning to deal with challenges such as Brexit.

On this episode we explore:

• How in EasyJet – ‘what you see on the outside is also what you get on the inside’
• Why he joined EasyJet How easyJet has changed the way people travel Second biggest airline in Europe but with only 10% of the market
• Over 300 aircraft – big scale operation but an easy to understand model
  • Building on EasyJet’s strengths
  • How the head office in ‘the hangar’ is actually in a hangar! How easyJet has evolved over the years The ‘fantastic individuals’ he works with
• How easyJet has always focused on value
• The good year-end financial results
• The changes in the competitive landscape in the current climate
• The demise of Monarch Changing market capacity
• The Air Berlin acquisition – game-changing their position in Germany
• Focusing on four core markets UK, France, Germany and Italy
• Addressing the potential impact of Brexit.
• Their 29 bases around Europe Lufthansa disappointing end of year results Using resources and energy to ensure Berlin went very well operationally
• Brandenburg Airport opening
• Being in a strong position in Berlin
• Alitalia’s problems and whether any acquisition would make sense
• Focusing on short haul and primary airports
  • Milan is one of their biggest bases
• The challenge of strikes and Air Traffic Control strikes
• The impact of EU261 and strike compensation
• Not disputing people’s right to strike
• Protecting overflying in France and giving sufficient notification on strikes
• Paying to Euro Control for something that is not being delivery
• How Single European Skies would help
• How investment in data and technology could mitigate some consequences
• The airline group A4E and lack of protection for airlines
• The European Aviation Summit Delays would be eradicated if the European airspace issue were solved How flying around an extra 5% is ‘nonsense’
  • The unknown impact of Brexit
  • easyJet’s base in Austria to reduce impact of Brexit
• How there are no winners with Brexit
• Open Skies of Europe flying in second and third countries to their mark
  • How politicians will not be forgiven if airlines are halted after Brexit
• Punctuality challenges
• Focusing far more on data in their business
  • Billions of data points in the industry The unconstrained data that is available
• How the industry needs meaningful relationships with customers 90 million individuals on their database predicting demands before they happen
• How they can simulate different scheduling throughout the day – congestion points, collecting competitor data
• How they used data to help them cut down on fresh food waste by 20% – 800,000 fewer wasted sandwiches a year!
• Upgrading their sales with small changes – more G&T with Fever Tree. Tonic
• Future investment in aircraft – upsizing aeroplanes
• How larger planes allow them to grow within existing slots
• Evolving in a changing landscape How Ryanair is growing more quickly – bigger aircraft too Not being a big fan of ‘irresponsible growth’
  • easyJet expects to grow about 10% in the coming year
• Competing successfully with Ryanair, Whizz and other models
• How the slots at key airports are tremendous assets Having a high level of brand recognition
• Having a crystal clear value proposition
• How good years are there to prepare for a downturn
• How the European market is nowhere near as consolidation as USA In 2015 there were 25 airlines making up about 80% of the market but by 2016 there were 11 airlines
• Whether or not easyJet will go long haul
  • Focusing on strengths and increasing the 10% share of the current market
• Key priorities for the company – even greater focus on business travellers Already have 13 million business passengers
  • Looking at business bundles – fast track, guaranteeing hand luggage on board and more Aiming to greater fulfil business passengers’ needs
• How easyJet is really about creating additional value
• Harnessing the power of data to offer a more personal experience
• Developing easyJet holidays Encouraging accommodation booking
• Creating new partnerships with hotels Electric and hybrid aircraft
• The ambitious target of seeing electric aircraft by 2030
• Encouraging more gender balance in pilots Wanting to become known for attracting top talent