Steve speaks Scoot

Steve speaks Scoot
By admin


Following Scoots successful performance at this year’s Marketing Excellence Awards 2014, Travel Today spoke to Scoot's head of commercial, Steve Greenway, during his visit to Sydney, on future expansions and what the budget airline has to offer.

Travel Today: What separates Scoot from other budget airlines?

Greenway: I think it’s the platform. What we can do is offer a product that is differentiated.  We have four different types of seating options, we have a ‘scoot in silence area’, we can offer a lot more equipment on our 787’s and our aircrafts are a lot more spacious.

Travel Today: In a few words define what ‘scootitude’ is?

Greenway: There is no definition. It’s a principle. We want people to reflect themselves rather than be cardboard copy types of people. We really try and employ a sense of individuality and let people express themselves. Simply it’s a fun attitude that pushes the boundaries.

Travel Today: Online you have over 850,000 likes on Facebook, how did you achieve this?

Greenway: We spend a lot of time on social media updating our base with a lot of on-the-ground activation. For example, we are running a competition in Hong Kong in accordance with our first anniversary that gives customers the chance to win free tickets.

Travel Today: Do travel agents get paid commission?

Greenway: We will enter into performance agreements if the volume is there. We don’t pay just because you book a ticket for two. If you are legitimately able to produce a decent amount of volume we will have a conversation.

Travel Today: Any plans for expansion?

Greenway: Absolutely. We have our first 787 arriving in January, second one coming in February and the third arriving in March. By April next year all of Australia will be operated by 787’s. We are also looking to go Daily on Perth, which should happen hopefully by next year.

Furthermore, we will also be expanding to hopefully 20 destinations in total next year, including one Australian destination, with a couple in North Asia and the rest will probably double in size in China

Travel Today: What big changes will the 787’s bring?

Greenway: The product goes to the next level. It will bring with it four different types of seating options, wireless capabilities so you can check your emails on board and the potential to stream the last videos and movies. It’s not so much a revolution but an evolution.

Travel Today: Dennis Bashman was recently appointed as the general manager for Australia, what will he bring to the table?

Greenway: The interesting thing about Dennis is that he brings a real trade focus; he knows the trade like the back of his hand and has been doing it for the past 14 years.  That emphasis will certainly carry through.

Travel Today: Why should people choose Scoot?

Greenway: From an economic standpoint, if we maintain a strong leadership and continue to offer great fares people will choose cheaper air travel so that they can spend more money at their end destination.

Second thing is our simplicity, people are finally waking up and realising that whilst some passengers want in-flight entertainment and meals others are quite happy to fall asleep and receive the bare essentials. So why should they have to pay the same fares?

This is why Scoot allows its customers to enjoy a customisable experience.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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