Chongqing, June 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — On June 14, 2007, Western Air successfully completed its maiden test flight. By 2015, Western Air has beeninoperation foreightyears, and these eight years represent amicrocosmof China’s aviation industry. Looking back,，China’s private airlines experienced three waves of enthusiasm for launching new carriers in 2004, 2005, and 2010. Amid the market’s turbulent waves,(empty)some airlines grew stronger while others were acquired. In recent years, another wave has swept through China’s aviation sector: -- low-cost.
Western Air’s new image
The “transformation” trend among airlines
The aviation industry has always been a massive sector. When Western Air was first established as an important strategic deployment of Hainan Airlines in Chongqing, it was not the shiniest starinthesky.Western Air truly shined after successfully transforming into a low-cost carrier. As the earliest and only Chinese airline to successfully complete such a transformation,ofWestern Air’s journey reflects the evolving trends of theaviationindustryandthe broader era.
During Western Air’s transformation period, the aviation industry as a whole was also undergoingacollective transformation.TidesThe traditional aviation development model had become stagnant, and China's rapidly expanding market saw consumer demands diversify. The entry of foreign markets, especially low-cost carriers from abroad, put immense pressure on China’s traditional airlines.wereunder considerable
Thisalsosparkedthoughts:Is it the era that shaped West Air, or did West Air adapt to the era?Whether it was the era that gave rise to West Air, or if West Air adapted to the trends of the times.
The ins and outs of the transformation
The success of West Air’s transformation was largely due to timing. As early as 2013, West Air had already embarked on its transformation journey. Within a year of preparation, the airline adjusted the mindset of its employeesandits development strategy. With thorough internal preparation and a comprehensive external strategy, West Air opted for a gradual transformation approach. From eliminating agency commissions to progressively phasing out traditional in-flight services, each time West Air removed a conventional service, it passed the savings on to ticket prices, minimizing the impact on frequent flyers. At the same time, in line with West Air’s strategy of “going around” and “fighting back,” the airline based itself in central and western markets, steadily“breaking outofand breaking back into”these strategic deployments. With central and western markets as its base, it firmlyoptimizedthese regional route markets continuously,and used them as strongholds to expand into surrounding areas, avoiding the most fiercely competitive major cities,focusing on the central and western markets to build confidence in the transformation,andsecuring a stronger market foundation.
It was this in-depth preparation, seizing market opportunities,as well asdedicated development,The smooth transformation of West Air is thanks to this very reason.
Bountiful achievements on its eighth anniversary
In 2013, West Air began its transition to a low-cost carrier and successfully completed the transformation; in 2014, it was awarded the CAPA Rising Star Airline Award; and in 2015, it celebrated its eighth founding anniversary. For this upcoming eighth anniversary, West Air has prepared unique activities—between June 13 and June 15, celebrations will be held simultaneously in four cities: Chongqing, Zhengzhou, Shenzhen, and Jinan..West Air firmly believes that every change is fundamentally supported by its passengers, so it has prepared a variety of engaging activities and fun participation methods in these four cities to allow consumerstoshare in the joy of its success.At the same time,West Air’s 8th anniversary celebration will also offer numerous gifts to passengers who have supported the airline’s development.
West Air’s 8th anniversary—China’s first major transformation. As the first airline in China to successfully transition to a low-cost model, West Air has also achieved many firsts..This is West Air’s first, but not the last evolution in the aviation industry. West Air’s transformation reflects the segmentation within the airline sector. While not every airline will shift to a low-cost model, West Air’s successful transformation shows that there is significant market potential for low-cost carriers in China..A wave of low-cost trends is sweeping through the aviation industry, and cost control is an issue every airline will face..The future of West Airissomething to watch closely.