Do airlines use consultants? is it common for them to? And what do they use them for?

Yes. Yes. For consulting.If you want details, here's a great idea: go to google, type in the name of a major airline and the word consultants. Maybe after that you can ask non-trivial questions.

Hi grad. During my time in strategy consulting I worked on numerous assignments for airlines. We were brought in to advise on things like:- global acquisition and partner airlines strategy- customer retention and loyalty strategies- scenario modelling- restructuringThen you'd also come across other (non strategic) consulting firms working on all sorts of logistical / process improvement projects - both for the airlines themselves and also for associated businesses like airport operators, etc.Why do you ask the question - might help provide a more meaningful answer...Tony RestellTop-Consultant.com

TonyThanks for the reply. Basically, aviation is what I am really interested in and would be the area I'd like to specialise in. I am at the Big Four at the moment but thinking ahead and picturing where I want to be a few years from now.I'd never have thought strategy is something airlines would have needed consultants for...is it common? Are airlines and aviation still MBBB territory, or is this more of a focus for specialist, niche consulting firms?grad

It seems to me that it doesn't matter what your product is, if you're a huge company in a huge industry, you'll be needing lots of strategy help to compete with other huge companies in the industry. You'll need tech consultants to work on enterprise solutions like streamlining your payroll and improving your databases and maybe even improving your products and services (for airlines you'll want online ticketing and you'll want to find people efficient routes). You'll have supply chain issues getting food and water onto planes, risk management issues and human capital issues. The list goes on... consultants could help plan and implement a frequent flier program, for example. Airlines don't have a "normal" product but they have a huge amount in common with other companies, and that's what consultants will be able to help with.

Well the strategic issues facing the industry are as significant as ever:- how might further mergers and acquisitions transform the industry- how to position your airline in the face of competition from low cost airlines- how will the introduction of super-jumbos impact routes, traffic, service offerings, etc.- what impact will environmental issues and new efficient aircraft have on the industry- ....I don't think the sector is any less in need of strategy consulting now than it was back when I worked in the industry. I'd suggest taking a look at the aviation pages of my old firm Roland Berger and that'll give you a better idea of the type of work being undertaken by strategy firms:[url]http://www.rolandberger.com/expertise/industries/aviation/[/url]Hope this is helpfulTony RestellTop-Consultant.com