Join us for a captivating journey through the skies as we welcome Charles Duncan, a seasoned veteran of the airline industry, to the Open Skies podcast. Charles's career takes off in 1996 at Continental Airlines, where his innovative approach to pricing and revenue management sets the stage for his future successes. His stories from Guam, with Continental Micronesia, offer a glimpse into the vibrant expansion of tourism and aviation in the Pacific. Charles's hands-on experiences, from observing gate agents to fostering tourism, paint a vivid picture of a dynamic industry.

Our conversation soars to Canada as Charles recounts his transformative tenure as President of WestJet Encore. Navigating the vast Canadian geography, building a robust fleet, and engaging with communities across 38 cities, he shares personal anecdotes that highlight the nuances of leading a regional airline. From being recognized for his "American swagger" to pioneering profitability initiatives, these stories underscore the challenges and triumphs of aviation leadership. Learn how a simple post-it note became a tool for innovation as we aimed to enhance fuel efficiency and financial performance.

As we confront the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the discussion pivots to the resilience of the airline industry. Charles' at WestJet and Norse Atlantic reveal the strategic maneuvering required to sustain operations amidst unprecedented challenges. Reflecting on Canadian aviation policy, we question the competitive landscape, regulatory frameworks, and the need for reform. The legacy of industry leaders like Ben Baldanza serves as a poignant reminder of the influence and inspiration that drive us forward in this ever-evolving sector. Join us for an insightful exploration of aviation's past, present, and future.





Transcript:

Chriss GlassHost

00:00

Hi and welcome to the Open Skies podcast. This is our very first standalone podcast on our own, two feet again, and I am with my guest, charles Duncan. Charles, welcome to the pod.

Charles DuncanGuest

00:13

Chris, thanks for having me. It's great to be here and I love the name Open Skies. Many different meanings and all of them positive. So great to be here. So great to be here.

Chriss GlassHost

00:22

Well, I have fond memories of X1 Get One and moving people around on the old Open Skies platform that we used to use way back in the day. So I have fond memories of the name and that's one of the good reasons why we chose it.

Charles DuncanGuest

00:37

That's awesome.

Chriss GlassHost

00:38

So, charles, you were my absolute first podcast guest on the very first pod that I, the very first version of the pod that we were doing, so I felt it'd be fitting to have you back again for our first standalone on Open Skies.

Charles DuncanGuest

00:54

Well, thank you, I don't think I realized I was your first guest. I mean I remember that very well and I mean, sadly, you had pizza, I think some good Alberta beer. I mean it was an enjoyable evening, I remember it well and anyway. So I'm honored, it's a privilege and I'm excited to see where you take the podcast you know now as an independent Open Skies entity. It's exciting. But thank you, thanks for having me and it's great to join you tonight thank you, thanks for having me and it's great to join you tonight.

Chriss GlassHost

01:30

Well, one of the things we want to do is tell kind of the untold stories behind the industry we love. Right Like you are a lifetime airline guy and you've seen and done it all from low-cost carriers to transatlantic, to a combination between both, so this fits really really well. So I'd like to get to talk to you about what you've been up to since last time we talked. But for our listeners, why don't