Грейхаунд Эйр: Қысқа ғұмырлы канадтық әуежол компаниясының тарихы

Greyhound Air was a short lived Canadian discount airline. Launched by Greyhound Canada, the airline ceased 14 months later in September 1997, when Laidlaw acquired the Canadian bus line.

Greyhound USA had suffered the incursion of the low cost air offensive. In Canada, WestJet appeared increasingly threatening. Growth prospects depended upon luring more car users onto Greyhound buses and airplanes. The target market was leisure and cost conscious travellers, who would typically drive between medium sized Canadian cities. Theoretically, the existing Greyhound bus routes could seamlessly connect into air travel, providing a comprehensive yet affordable travel network.

Kelowna Flightcraft (two letter airline code "KF" and now known as KF Aerospace), a cargo operator at the time based out of Kelowna, British Columbia, provided jet passenger aircraft and crew. However, because KF held the domestic airline licence, Greyhound could not legally display its name on the aircraft. During September 1996, a price war erupted with competitors. Although Greyhound experienced load factors exceeding 80 per cent, it sustained a loss of $10M during the first five months of operation.

The fleet comprised seven 727 200s. The archaic 727s experienced high operating costs, requiring a third crew member in the cockpit and were also less fuel efficient than WestJet’s 737s.

Evidencing weak business strategy, the airline failed to understand its passengers and competitors, and created a high cost ineffective company. In this regard, the carrier never defined a true competitive advantage. Bypassing travel agents until April 1997, which sold 80 per cent of airline tickets at the time, automatically excluded a large passenger base. Logistically, weaving air service into the existing bus network was not only complex but impractical. The hub and spoke model through Winnipeg increased passenger travel time, offering a less appealing experience than a point to point system. Foreign ownership issues hampered obtaining a domestic airline licence, delaying the launch by several months and missing out on the lucrative early summer traffic. The employee culture was ill equipped for the intensity of an airline startup, which needed to attract candidates focused upon positivity and drive, and to offer employees motivational rewards.