Business Strategy and the Economic Environment of Business Assignment

Business Strategy and the Economic Environment of Business - Assignment Example The European skies are leading in having one of the most competitive arenas. Airlines like Ryanair have in a huge way mastered this market and have as a result become quite successful over the years. This paper to a huge extent will look into Ryanair and how it has evolved and the internal and external factors which have shaped it. It will also focus on the ways in which the management has moved the airline forward and the directions are taken to expand it. The other focus is on its operations in relation to core competencies, strategic directions, competitive advantages and other relevant strategic decisions are taken. All these will be merged in various sections where they will be highlighted as they fall under the airline’s strategic practices. Ryanair’s history, as well as its present position in the airline business, is quite impressive. According to Miriam (2010) since 1985 it has reined the European skies overcoming competition from big airlines like British Airways. It is now one of the biggest airlines in the continent with passenger traffic of more than 66 million annually as per the 2009 end year results. The airline expects to have passenger traffic of not less than 73 million in 2010. It spans its services to over 25 countries and operates at least 1400 daily flights to over 160 destinations (Stefanie 2007). It also boasts of a huge fleet of aircraft of not less than 250. It is amazing to know that this airline started with only one aircraft with a capacity to carry 15 passengers in 1985. At this time its route was Waterford to London and by 1987 it had expanded to more destinations in Europe (Ryanair 2010). This was however made possible by the fact that the company had purchased a jet aircraft that was no t only fast but efficient. There was immense growth during its first 6 years of operations which were curtailed in 1990. This year remains in the history books and in the minds of many that worked for the company more so in the management positions.  Ã‚