Dehydration and Gas Chromatography of Methylcyclohexanols Essay Example

Dehydration and Gas Chromatography of Methylcyclohexanols Essay The experimental confirmation of the Evelyn Effect was performed in this report. This effect, first described by David Todd of Pomona College in 1994, describes the formation of 1-methylcyclohexene and 3-Methylcyclohexene (structures shown below) derived from the dehydration and distillation of a mixture of cis-2-methylcyclohexanol and trans-2-methylcyclohexanol (structures shown below) when reacted with phosphoric acid.Figure 1. Stereochemical Structures of Methylcyclohexanols.This reaction was carried out according to the following mechanisms.Figure 2. Reaction Mechanism of Dehydration of cis/trans-2-methcylohexanol Mixture.Procedure150 mmol (à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ 18.419 g) of 2-methylcyclohexanol (cis trans mixture) was placed into a 50 mL round bottom flask. Mixed in this flask was 5 mL of 85% phosphoric acid, 3 drops of sulfuric acid (to quicken reaction), and a few acid resistant boiling chips. A simple apparatus for distillation was assembled and two 10 mL graduated cylinders were use d to collect the distillate.The contents of the 50 mL round bottom flask were gently brought to a boil and the temperature of the vapor was approximately 115 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C. The rate of heating/boiling was controlled so that the rate of collection in the first 10 mL graduated cylinder was approximately 1 drop per second. When the contents of the distillate in the 10 mL graduated cylinder reached approximately 8 mL in volume the first 10 mL graduated cylinder was removed and a second clean 10 mL graduated cylinder was put in its place to collect an addition 6 mL of distillate.The first distillate product was the transferred to a clean seperatory funnel and washed with 5 mL of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The aqueous layer was drained off and the organic distillate product was washed with 5 mL of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate for a second time. The aqueous layer was then drained off and the organic distillate layer was collected and saved for gas chromatographic analysi s. This procedure was repeated for the second distillate sample.A small portion of magnesium sulfate was then added to each organic distillate sample in order to remove any remaining water in the sample. The mixtures of organic distillate and magnesium sulfate were then filtered through gravity filtration to remove the magnesium sulfate from the organic distillate.Gas chromatographic analysis was then performed individually on each organic distillate sample in order to obtain a distinct gas chromatogram for each sample.DataTable 1. Experimental Calculations and Data.Sample Weight DataMolecular Mass of 2-methyl-cyclohexanolReagent Volume Use CalculationFigure 3. Organic Distillate Gas Chromatograms*.Organic Distillate Sample 1Organic Distillate Sample 2*Arrow indicates 1-methylcyclohexene calculated from standard gas chromatograph of pure 1-methylcyclohexene with retention time of 2.6 minutes.Table 2. Organic Distillate Gas Chromatograph Calculations.Organic Distillate Sample 1 Area and Retention Time CalculationsOrganic Distillate Sample 1 Total Area% Composition of Constituents in Organic Distillate Sample 1Organic Distillate Sample 2 Area and Retention Time CalculationsOrganic Distillate Sample 2 Total Area% Composition of Constituents in Organic Distillate Sample 2Table 3. Automatic Gas Chromatograph Data.Gas Chromatograph Model Number350ColumnCarbowax 8 x .25Cover GasHelium (He)Set Temperature50 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½CColumn Temperature50 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½CDetector TypeTCDDetector Temperature100 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½CFlowrateà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ 40 mL/minInjection Volume4 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½LTable 4. Physical and Chemical Properties of Reagents.M.W.B.P.d12-methylcyclohexanola114.2 amu166 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C0.9301-methylcyclohexene96.2 amu110 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C0.8133-methylcyclohexene96.2 amu104 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C0.801Phosphoric acid (85%)98.0 amu1.70ResultsThe results and experimental calculations seem to correlate directly to the confirmation of the existence of the Evelyn Effect. This is evident as the forma tion of 1-methycyclohexene decreased from sample one to sample two at a rate of 19.7225% while the formation of the products increased from sample one to sample two at a rate of 19.7225%.DiscussionThe Evelyn Effect, as predicted by David Todd in 1994, appears to be supported by the evidence accumulated in this experiment (see results section). The dehydration of the mixture of cis/trans-2-methylcyclohexanol isomers forms two direct products along with water as a byproduct of the removal of the hydroxyl group from the 2-carbon position of cis/trans-2-methylcyclohexanol. As the reaction proceeds cis-2-methylcyclohexanol reacts first with phosphoric acid to form 1-methylcyclohexene in greater quantity than the byproducts of the reaction of the trans isomer of 2-methylcyclohexanol. This conclusion is confirmed by the indication in the gas chromatogram of a higher percent composition of the 1-methylcyclohexene than 3-methylcyclohexene (55%;35%). In the gas chromatogram of sample two 3-me thcyclohexene is in higher concentration (44%;64%). This seems to infer that trans-2-methylcyclohexanol reacts slower than the cis isomer of the same molecule. All of this information directly points to the existence of the Evelyn Effect.Error was a substantial issue during the calculations of the areas of the different compound spikes as shown on the gas chromatogram. The unlabeled compound spike in the chromatogram of organic distillate two has a peak but very little downward slope is shown. This lack of slope caused significant error in calculating the exact area underneath of the spike in which to obtain measurements for use in the calculation of spike area.Even accounting for this error, however, it seems unlikely that this jeopardized the validity of the experimental results. While the product yields were significantly lower than those predicted by Todd the results were significant enough in order to see the appearance of the Evelyn Effect.Furthermore examining the physical/ch emical properties of both 1-methylcyclohexene and 3-methylcyclohexene it is apparent that 1-methylcyclohexene is slightly more stable than 3-methylcyclohexene. This property can be deduced by examining the boiling points of the two isomers. The boiling point of 1-methylcyclohexene is 110 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C while the boiling point of 3-methylcyclohexene is slightly lower at 104 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C. The slightly larger amount of heat energy required to boil 1-methcycyclohexene (6 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C) than 3-methylcyclohexene shows that the latter is slightly more stable. In this context it becomes apparent that 3-methylcyclohexene is more apt to convert to 1-methylcyclohexene; the more stable of the two isomers.

Cool Hand Luke (Movie) Essays - English-language Films, Free Essays

Cool Hand Luke (Movie) Essays - English-language Films, Free Essays Cool Hand Luke (Movie) Never Say Die! Of all the films that were released in 1967 few had the power and stamina of displaying detailed characterizations in the manner of which 'Cool Hand Luke' did. Its strong message of individuality was a welcomed choice in the 20th centurys most turbulent decade, which of course were the 1960's. Based on the novel by Donn Pearce and adapted for the screen by Pearce and Frank R. Pierson and Oscar nominated for Screenplay Adaptation, 'Cool Hand Luke' opens with a lazy and most effective scene showing Luke Jackson cutting the heads off of parking meters in a drunken haze in the confines of a small southern town. Promptly picked up by the police and sentenced to two years for maliciously destroying public property while under the influence, Luke is transported to a prison camp led by a character named Dragline. Dragline rules with an iron fist over the gang but manages to maintain many friends and constantly earns the respect of his fellow prisoners. The scene in which Luke is brought to prison sets the tone for the entire film as director Stuart Rosenberg sternly outlines the disciplinary policy of the facilitys captain (Strother Martin) and its guards whom the prisoners are told to refer to as 'boss'. Luke's mission is to immediately challenge Dragline for leadership of the gang and a conflicting scene involving a boxing match between the two puts Luke on good terms with the other prisoners and the guards themselves also notice this. Dragline ends up becoming Luke's friend and protector and the film becomes a series of rebellious acts executed by Luke. One somber and heartfelt scene has Luke in contact with his mother who comes to visit him and she is dying, presumably of lung cancer as we see her coughing and chain-smoking her way to the grave. He refers to his mother on a first name basis and the scene has a further impression later in the film as Luke comes to terms with her death. It's one of Newman's finest moments on film. 'Cool Hand Luke' is easily recognizable as social commentary but it also has a sense of humor and knows how to be entertaining on a general level. This is shown in the film's most classic scene, the egg-eating contest. Luke challenges the disbelievers in the camp into proving he can eat fifty hardboiled eggs in one hour and every cent in camp rides on his bet. The talented cast of 'Cool Hand Luke' includes such character actors as J.D. Cannon, Lou Antonio, Jo Van Fleet, Wayne Rogers, Ralph Waite, Harry Dean Stanton and a very young looking Dennis Hopper. Director Stuart Rosenberg's heavy handed direction is appropriate for this film which creates a clandestine environment of prison abuse and prisoner defiance and leaves the audience with many questions of whether prison reforms or give its convicts the impression that for every violent action, there can be an act of equally violent reaction.

Evolution of the resort design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Evolution of the resort design - Essay Example This building actually acts as the springboard of testing the polychrome revised architecture in the evolution of Resort design .It is a good example of the great inner geometric application and new syntax. This is accompanied by the variations in a number of its structures that were built with great floor plan which gives it a multifaceted cultural background with great space utilization techniques. Deeper scrutiny of the building exposes a combination of a variety of techniques with patterns that are in line with the organization of different apartments that constitute it (Gargiani, Le Corbusier, Rossellini & Piccolo 32). In contrast to other similar buildings where color is merely a tool for articulating and modifying space, Worawia Holiday Haven Resort marks the paradigm shift in use of color from form to independence and revelation of a new social dimension of color. Across the globe there are a number of artistic works that marks the history of such places and defines the socia l, political and economic environment that existed before. In other words, history is traced trough some of these artistic works that include unique architectural designs on landscapes, monuments, pillars and other archival sculptures. It is important to discuss the individual artists concerning their contribution on the history of the arts an in that respect one great Greek artist APOLLODORUS of Damascus who is credit with a number of historic architectural items in the world. He was a Damascus-born Greek who became one of the greatest engineer and architect at the height of the rule of Roman Empire where he worked. Below is Worawia Holiday Haven Resort floor plan with a Lodge (Dormitory) building, one large Family bungalow, three standard bungalows, Reception building with carpark, swimming pool with swim-up pool bar, and barbecue hut by the pool. photo : Agostino Calandrino Other examples include Renaissance Barcelona Fira Hotel, Spain - 17 Sep 2013 Design: Ateliers Jean Nouvel T he tower's facade is bright white on the south, west and east elevations in order to reduce solar gain due to exposure to the sun. The north facade is matt black to help it absorb as much solar radiation as possible during the short time it is exposed to the sun. It is one of the pieces of work with outstanding interior design. Theories and philosophies There are various theoretical concepts that are spoken by the structure itself once it is constructed. Design of resorts captures the space factor which is increasingly becoming scarce in most residential sites. There has been an increasing cases of setting up buildings in a way that the blend with the topography of the site and the cultural affiliation of the immediate society. Various architecture scientists attest to the fact that the contemporary society strives to spare any little space and maximize the allocated site with an expansive interior and relatively slim exterior. It is important to note that any sensitive architectura l creation must incorporate the important influence of image to the public when designing a house. Quality of design in massing proportions and architectural language will be a

Alzheimer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Alzheimer - Essay Example The results also explain the various findings of the study as related to the possible factors that contributed to the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease: use of anesthetics, neurotic personalities or an inability to handle and manage stress, the occurrence of obesity, incidence of depression, and physical inactivity. The discussion gives detailed effects that the disease brings to the people as well as their complications. Finally, the conclusion gives the recommendations and additional information concerning the management of the disease. The problem of the research relates to the people affected by the disease and at what age. The effects the disease creates on the affected individuals, the economy, and the government. In recent years, over 5 million Americans were suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. After attaining the age of 60, most people started to show symptoms of the disease. This could mean that the risk of being infected increases with age. Younger individuals could also get the disease, but on rare occasions. It is important for people to determine their risk factors, in order to prevent themselves from acquiring the disease. This is because other researchers project that the number of infections could rise significantly in the future (Wimo & prince, 2010). The paper shows that age is the main risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. The prevalence of the disease is analyzed and its fatality rate. The disease affects the caregivers psychologically. It is costly for the government to provide medication and treatment services to the infected person. The disease infects a large number of older women as compared to men. The paper discusses the physical effects of the disease in the elderly. Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain in a progressive manner. It could be fatal for the cells of the brain. It interferes with the memory capacity of the brain and affects the normal thinking of a person. If the affected

Book review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 3

Book review - Essay Example ‘Still alive’ opposes all the simple assumption about history. Kluger’s experience was a popular when produced in the creative German, gaining a big status and technical acclaim. The Holocaust survivor had spent her time in three concentration camps as a young teenager; she was helped by her mother to translate her book into other language versions in order for the whole world to read about her story. Her mother got her first book accidentally and translated it in English and this was after kluger’s friend sends the book to her as a gift. Luckily her story of Vienna’s darkest hour did not fail. She tried to remember her childhood memories, where she creates a tale equal to the miseries that the entire human nature is able to do. Keen to her step-by-step experiences has opened the entire women fraternity the knowledge about their abilities and rights in the current global existence. Her face off with conflicts never ended with frustrations as a young Jew in Vienna, neither the brutality of the Theresienstadt and Auschwitz-Birkenau camps nor the university institutions in German. This is where her state of a being female was heavily undermined in the male superior society. Conflicts accompanied her to the post-war New York, where she was criticized by the earlier generation of immigrants for her opposition to adopt the American culture Kluger in her life she faced the negative side of the real life situation but her intellectual love made her appreciate anything that occurred. This acted as her survival tool during those times. This one of the best reason to compel one to read the Still Alive story of Kluger. Here is when she goes by her opinion of identity creation from which she perceives her way into the life. This should be a driving force for women to venture into life situations without fear. In her book, ‘Unterwegs Verloren a story line that can take readers to a young

The Low Cost Airline Air Asia

The Low Cost Airline Air Asia The low-cost concept became a moneymaker in the United States, where it was pioneered in the 1970s by Southwest Airlines, the model for budget carriers elsewhere like Ryanair and easyJet in Europe. Definition of low cost airlines A low cost airline generally has many features that differentiate it from the traditional carriers. These features include ticketless travel, online ticket sales, no international offices, no frequent flyer points, no free food and beverages, no inflight magazines, no club lounges, use of secondary city airports. Not all low cost airlines have these features, and not all airlines that have some of these features are low cost airlines. For example, Virgin Express is a low cost airline, but it still offers complimentary coffee and inflight magazine, and they are based at Brussels primary airport. Case Study-AirAsia Story of AirAsia Air Asia, as the second Malaysian National Airline, provides a totally different type of service in line with the nations aspirations to benefit all citizens and worldwide travellers. Such service takes the form of a no frills low airfares flight offering, 40%-60% lower than what is currently offered in this part of Asia. Their vision is Now Everyone Can Fly and their mission is to provide Affordable Airfares without any compromise to Flight Safety Standards. The story of emergence of AirAsia is similar to Ryanair, since both carriers underwent a remarkable transformation from a money-losing regional operator to a profitable, low cost airline. AirAsia was initially launched in 1996 as a full-service regional airline offering slightly cheaper fares than its main competitor, Malaysia Airlines. Before 2001, AirAsia fail to either sufficiently stimulate the market or attract enough passengers from Malaysia Airlines to establish its own niche market. The turnaround point of AisAsia is in 2001, while it was up to sale and bought by Tony Fernandes. Tony Fernandes then enrolled some of the lending low-cost airline experts to restructure AirAsias business model. He invited Connor McCarthy, the former director of group operation of Ryanair, to join the executive team. In late 2001, AirAsia was re-launched in Malaysia as a trendy, no-frills operation with three B737 aircraft as a low-fare, low-cost domestic airline. Opportunities faced by AirAsia in light of external development Low fare of Indonesia-Malaysia trip The fare for a Jakarta-Johor Baru trip costs Rp 100,000 (RM 88.88 one way). And charge Rp 150,000 for a Bandung-Kuala Lumpur flight, and Rp 300,000 for a Surabaya-Kuala Lumpur trip, whereas a Jakarta-Kuala Lumpur air ticket from Malaysia Airlines available at travel agents cost Rp 1.4 million. Meanwhile, Lion Air on the same route, charged Rp 1.05 million. The low fare provided by AirAsia helps it open the Indonesia market. Low fare of Singapore-Bangkok service AirAsia will increase its services between Singapore Bangkok by introducing a 2nd daily flight to its existing schedule. This recent development came barely a month after Thai AirAsia operations started its first international flight to Singapore in early February this year. AirAsia is offering its guests promotional fares to/from Singapore- Bangkok from SGD$23.99 (THB 499) one way from the 28th March to 30th Oct, 2004. It is much lower than the lowest fare SGD$56 offered by full-service carrier. This helps it open the Singapore market. Political connections AirAsia hold 49% of Thai AirAsia with 1% being held by a Thai individual. The remaining 50% is held by Shin Corp. which is owned by the family of Thailands prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. Shin Corp. has financial strength, synergy in ingormation technology and telecommunications, which support AirAsia Internet and mobile phone bookings. Shin Corp. allows subscribers of the Shin mobile phone flagship, Advanced Information Service, being able to reserve tickets through its short-messaging service (SMS). AirAsia with its politically powerful backer may well grow up to bite. This helps it open the Thailand market. Malaysian government support The Malaysian government supported the establishment of AirAsia in 2001 to help boost the under-used Kuala Lumpur International Airport. AirAsias flights from Senai are meant to develop Johor into a transport hub to rival Singapore. AirAsia, therefore, can provide an alternative route to travel to Bangkok, by using Senai Airport in Johor Bahru, in southern Malaysia. Opportunities faced by AirAsia in light of internal development Issue of IPO Kamarudin Meranun, AirAsias Executive Director announced the appointment of Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB) and RHB Sakura Merchant Bankers (RHB) as the bookrunners for the companys upcoming Initial Public Offering (IPO). The IPO strengthens AirAsia balance sheet, further cuts its existing low costs at 2.5 US cents per ASK and accelerates our growth plans throughout Asia. The IPO also allows AirAsia to expand its fleet of 18 Boeing 737-300s. Political connections Thai AirAsia is a join venture established by AirAsia with Shin Corp. Shin Corp. is owned by the family of Thailands prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, and about 900 million baht will be invested in Thai AirAsia over a five-year period. Shin Corp. oversees the finance and administration of Thai AirAsia while AirAsia shoulders the responsibility for marketing and operations. Shin Corp. has financial strength and supports AirAsia to grow. AirAsia with its politically powerful backer may well grow up to bite. Challenges faced by AirAsia in light of external development Indonesian habit Preferences of Indonesian passengers are quite different from the concept of cheap air travel without extra service for the passengers (free snacks and drinks), and also their reluctance to bring light baggage. AirAsia prefers passengers with very light and minimum baggage. If this is the case, it may not last long. But Indonesian domestic airline companies are able to provide value-added extras like food and beverages as part of their service to the passengers, although at a relatively higher cost. The comparative edge of Indonesian domestic airline companies compared to AirAsia concerns habit (culture). Furthermore, Indonesian domestic airlines were already trained with the low-cost air travel concept, known as tariff war. They have proved themselves as immune, and managed to survive. Last but not least, the Indonesian government or domestic airline companies had never announced the availability of a low-cost airline company of the country. All these affect AirAsia growth in Indonesia. Singapore government rejection Initially, AirAsia wanted to start flights from the southern state of Johor, near Singapore, it hoped to attract passengers by running a convenient bus service to the city-state. However, Singapore quickly quashed that idea. The Singapore government said it would not approve a bus link for AirAsia because it was not in her national interest, reflecting fears that Singapores Changi airport would lose business to Johors new Senai airport. This makes AirAsia cannot abandon the use of Changi airport, and therefore suffer from a higher cost. This is because AirAsia flying to Singapore needs to suffer from flight congestion of Changi. Changi has drawbacks of flight congestion that could prevent the quick turnarounds essential to keeping down costs. AirAsia finds it stuck between big planes and circling to wait for a slot to open up, which means extra fuel costs. Moreover, the SGD$21 departure and security tax of Changi is too high for AirAsia low-cost operation. AirAsia had asked the Singapore government to waive the fees, however, a request that was not only rejected but also criticized. Besides Singapore Bangkok, AirAsia now provides an alternative route to travel to Bangkok, by using Senai Airport in Johor Bahru, in southern Malaysia. Seeking to cater to the different markets, fares for Johor Bahru- Bangkok are generally 20 % lower in comparison to Singapore Bangkok. AirAsia currently operate daily flights to Bangkok from Johor Bahru. However, the choice proved unpopular, as the route failed to attract Singaporeans because of the additional cost and inconvenience of having to travel in and out of Malaysia by road. All these affect AirAsia external growth. Minimum air-fare rates AirAsia faces challenges finding open takeoff and landing slots at opportune times, and Thailands regulation that sets minimum air-fare rates. Although Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said the current minimum air-fare regulations will be scrapped to open up the market, he couldnt name a date when this will be done. This seems to be favoritism toward Thai Airways Internationals domestic operations, and affects Thai AirAsia to compete in the Thailand market. External Changes which have impact on AirAsia Asias middle class growth Low cost airlines are anticipated to have greater potential in Asia as there are many Asian cities with a population above one million people each as well as a rising middle class population. This growth of middle class in Asia provides a huge market potential for AirAsia to grow. However, as the market is becoming larger, more airlines or new comers would like to get a piece of the action. For example, Budget airlines, it is estimated, will capture at least 25% of Asias air travel market within next 10 years and a lot of that will be new, not diverted, traffic. Therefore, AirAsia will face more competitions at the same time. Besides the low cost airlines, AirAsia still needs to compete with the conventional carriers. Although extra passengers of the low cost airlines will be coming from the new demand to be created by the low fares, the growth may not be entirely stolen from big flag carriers. Actions of Changi and nearby airports The growth of low cost airlines in south-east Asia has a significant effect on which airports will dominate the regional aviation market. Low cost airlines are seen as helping funnel more passengers to airport hubs. Therefore, there is a realization among regional governments that they need smashing airports and feisty carriers or they are going to miss out big time. Therefore, these governments are more willing to support low cost airlines. For example, the Malaysian government supported the establishment of AirAsian in 2001 to help boost the under-used Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and Thai premiers Shin Corp. forms a join venture with AirAsia that would benefit Bangkoks new airport and create a new hub at Chiang Mai. Therefore, under this situation, it helps AirAsia grow in Asia. Moreover, as there is a growth of several south-east Asian airports, this poses a challenge to the status of Singapores Changi airport as a regional aviation hub. These airports include Johors new Senai airport in southern Malaysia, Bangkoks new Suvarnabhumi airport which will be able to handle 45 million passengers when it opens in 2005, Bangkok Don Muang which recently overtook Changi in passenger numbers, etc. To maintain Changis position as the air hub in the region, Singapore is proposing a budget airline terminal at Changi by 2005 and lower passenger taxes to attract low cost airlines. This helps AirAsia grow and lower the cost. Actions of existing airlines The existing airlines in south-east Asia have several actions to compete with AirAsia, for example, some have launched a low cost airline to fight with AirAsia. Singapore Airlines launched a low cost airline subsidiary, Tiger Airways, in the second half of 2003, only months after the scheduled launch of ValuAir set up by one of its former executives. Orient Thai Airlines launched a new low cost airline subsidiary, One-To-Go. One-To-Go operates with a fleet of six Boeing 757-200s and match any fares that Thai AirAsia offers. Thai Airways have frequency and capacity to offer to their 13 domestic destinations. They also have, during the past two years, worked to improve operational efficiency, slashing unprofitable domestic routes, increasing flights on busy routes, strengthening yield management and controlling costs. All these make AirAsia face a huge competition. Critical success factors in the Low cost airlines in Asia Reduction in operational cost Low cost airlines strive to achieve the lowest possible price for their products and services. Low prices cannot sustain unless the company maximizes its operational efficiency. The success factors of Asian low cost airlines in reducing their operational cost include: Service savings (no frills cabin service and extensive use of outsourcing) NO-frills include: NO drinks, NO food, NO headphones, NO newspapers, NO movies, NO VIP lounges, NO expensive offices, NO mileage programs, NO seat allocation, NO childrens fares, NO paper tickets (Electronic tickets only), NO connecting flights (All flight-legs must be booked independently) Operational savings (point-to-point services and uniform fleet) Overhead savings (internet sales and streamlined bureaucracy) We can compare the operational cost in terms of costs per available seat kilometer (ASK), a measure of the running cost of the airline. For instance, Ryanair in Europe is almost half of the ASK price comparing with the full services airline. The average fare offered by Air Asia in Malaysia is 40-60 % lower than its full-service competitor. Competitive Ticket price against traditional full-service airline Low cost airlines begins with two initial cost advantages arising from the very nature of their operation: higher seating density and higher daily aircraft utilization. By removing business class and reconfiguring their aircraft, low cost airlines can increase the number of seats on their aircraft. Seat pitch of a low cost airline is usually 28 inches, compared to a traditional conventional economy class pitch with 32 inches. Doganis (2001) calculates that should be able to operate at seat cost that are only 40-50 % those of mainline rival. Combining the load factor benefit and beneficial distribution cost, low cost airlines cost per passenger can reduce price by one-third of conventional airline. Flying out of secondary airports Many low-cost airlines keep expenses down by flying out of secondary airports, avoiding major hubs where takeoff and landing fees are much higher while still getting passengers close enough to their destinations. The travel distance is short As the routes offered by low cost airlines are mainly short, domestic routes which may only take one to two hours, travellers might be fine with no amenities on flights Success factors in AirAsia Absolute Cost Advantage Low cost per average seat kilometer AirAsia focused on ensuring a competitive cost structure as its main business strategy. It has been able to achieve a cost per average seat kilometer (ASK) of 2.5 cents, half that of Malaysia Airlines and Ryanair and a third that of EasyJet. AirAsia can lease the B737-300s aircraft at a very competitive market rates due to the harsh global market conditions for the second-hand aircrafts because of the September 11th event in 2001. On the other hand, the operating cost of the company is also dropped drastically. Low distribution cost AirAsia focus on Internet bookings and ticketless travel allowed it to lower the distribution cost. Attractive ticket price With the average fare being 40-60 % lower than its full-service competitor, AirAsia has been able to achieve strong market stimulation in the domestic Malaysian air market (Thomas 2003). For instance, the fare for the trip from Kuala Lumpur to Penang on AirAsia starts from 39 ringgit. Comparing to trip by bus charge 40 ringgit and 80 ringgit by car. The effect of attractive low fare is more travelers switching from bus to air, similar case as Ryanair in Europe. Good Management Team AirAsia value proposition is more sophisticated than Ryanair placing equal emphasis on brand reputation and customer service/people management, by a senior advisor to AisAsias top management team. AirAsia pursue a Ryanair operational strategy, Southwest people strategy and an Easyjet branding strategy. Weakness Fair availability The availability of AirAsia is not good as traditional airline as it only provide unique aircraft. However, it cannot be the cost leader if it offers customized features or comprehensive support which will result in increasing operational cost. However, focus on a specific customer may avoid straddling. Case of straddling A Japanese low cost airline, Skymark, trying to be everything to everyone targeting the broader customer and offering limited special features (satellite TV, Business class and charter operations). The result is failing to both cost efficient and price competitive rendering it vulnerable to market forces and customer demand (porter1996; Lawton 1999). Major strategic directions recommended Open more Asian market Low cost airlines are anticipated to have greater potential in Asia as there are many Asian cities with a population above one million people each as well as a rising middle class population. It is time for AirAsia to exploit the potentials of affordable air travel by Asias growing middle class. Besides starting services to the Pearl River Delta in south China in 2004, AirAsia can expend its services to the coastal cities in China. Besides the growth of Asian middle class, the liberalization of aviation sector of India is another reason for AirAsia to open more Asian market. The Indian government has liberalized the aviation sector long dominated by the national carriers. Now, only a few low cost airlines, e.g. Air Deccan, Airone Feeder Airline Pvt Ltd, Crescent Air, have launched their services there. Moreover, the national carriers, Indian Airlines or Air India, despite their domination of the Indian skies, do not seem to be much interested in operating low-cost services. Therefore, it is a good chance for AirAsia to open the Indian market. Join venture with Virgin Group AirAsia should put more effort to set up a pan-Asian low cost airline with Virgin Blue, which is a low cost carrier of Virgin Group serving Australia and New Zealand mainly. Virgin Blue has suggested it may extend services to south-east Asia. Therefore, setting up a join venture with Virgin Blue can help AirAsia to grow in Asia even further, and help Virgin Blue to extend services to south-east Asia. Recommendations to maximize competitive advandages of AirAsia 1. Enforce Political advantages AirAsia established a join venture, Thai AirAsia with Shin Corp. Shin Corp. is owned by the family of Thailands prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, and about 900 million baht will be invested in Thai AirAsia over a five-year period. Shin Corp. has financial strength, synergy in ingormation technology and telecommunications, which support AirAsia to grow in Thailand. AirAsia with its politically powerful backer can well grow up to bite, and therefore it should enforce such political advantages in order to extend the growth in Thailand. Furthermore, AirAsia should use its Thai subsidiary, Thai AirAsia, to claim the use of Thailands open skies agreements to fly to Singapore, Brunei and Cambodia, overcoming the barrier of bilateral aviation pacts that threatened to limit its growth. Induction of smart cards AirAsia can issue a smart card which is compatible with the existing ticketless booking. It can offer 2 kinds of smart cards. The first kind of smart card, aimed at ordinary travellers, will offer instant rewards when topped up, offering greater value than its purchase price. For example a Bt5,000 card may be worth Bt5,500. The card can also be used by other people with the same family name as the cardholder. The second kind of smart card will offer unlimited travel for frequent flyers. Priced provisionally at Bt20,000, cardholders will be allowed make as many trips as they want within a specified period. Conclusion A study by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (2002) confirms that Asia continues to offer attractive conditions for the air transportation industry. With thirteen out of worlds top twenty-five major urban centres located in the Asia Pacific region and a rapidly increasing urbanization trends, the Asian air travel market is bound to continue to grow. Urbanization is highlighted as one of the key drivers for the growth in air travel. It is estimated that Asia would account for 30% of the world market by 2019, or one third of growth between now and then. While the impact of SARS is going to slow down the growth of Asian regional demand, the long-run forecast continues to be very positive. These enable low cost airlines to grow even further.

The Internet and the Future of Communication :: Concept Essays

Even the beginning of the day started bad. I got up late for school and, with my luck had a test first hour. After getting to school and taking the test which seemed to be in a different language, I faced unpleasant customers for five long hours at work. Finally, being able to come home, flip of my shoes and sink my feet into our thick carpet was similar to what heaven must be. Switching into a pair of worn sweats and T-shirt I swiveled into the chair in front of my computer. With a press of a few buttons I called up my E-mail. I had a message from my best friend, Lily. Eagerly I called it up. Seemingly knowing of my bad day, she cheered me up instantly by telling me of her even worse day, after all misery loves company. I typed in a short response and decided to ignore the other mail for now. Just imagine the capability offered to a user, being able to hear from anyone this simply. Maybe a person is at work and decide to write a quick letter. This application is called Electronic Mail, commonly known as E-mail. Similar to the mail system, each user has an address. By putting on the address and typing the message, sending business or personal mail is quick and easy. With more and more computer networks acquiring use to the Internet even more communication will be possible. Information would be only a touch of a key away. So what exactly is the Internet? The Internet is a worldwide web of universities, business, commercial, military and science networks (Laquey 7). The networks function separately but with the Internet they can also function together. All of the information one of the networks supplies (and is willing to give out) is available to all of the other networks. This gives an amazing amount of access to an individual user who is hooked into one of these networks. Individual users, not part of a network, can receive the Internet capabilities by subscribing to a network connected to the Internet. Usually, the networks that supply an Internet connection are commercial. Locally, an example is Prodigy. This is a network, that in itself, provides many resources and can give single users access to the Internet. Personally, Prodigy has created keeping in touch with my friends at college an easier task.