"Michael Boyd: Aviation's tough talker lets fly"

Monday, September 27, 2004
  
Aviation's tough talker lets fly
Michael Boyd has made a business reputation of being painfully blunt about
the airline industry. So what does the consultant see ahead?
By Kelly Yamanouchi 
The Denver (CO) Post Staff Writer


Evergreen, Colo. - From a tiny two-story building facetiously named the
"Moosehaven Business Tower," Michael Boyd has made a reputation as a
nationally known aviation consultant with a penchant for voicing biting
criticisms of airlines and security officials. 

But he makes no apologies.

"We get hired because clients know that we will tell it like it is," he
said.

His clients have included small airports, airlines, unions and aircraft
manufacturers. Next month, his six-person aviation consulting firm, The Boyd
Group, will hold its ninth annual aviation forecast conference, bringing
together airline executives and analysts to discuss where the industry is
headed.

Boyd's research has covered issues ranging from aviation security to
regional jets. He says he has his sights on a new area of study: aviation in
China.
  
The son of an airline pilot and a flight attendant, Boyd started his career
as a ramp agent for American Airlines at LaGuardia Airport in New York.

He went on to work as a regional director at Braniff International Airways;
as a vice president of planning at Bar Harbor Airlines, a commuter airline
in New England; and as a vice president at American International Airways, a
startup jet carrier based in Philadelphia.

Then, he decided to get out of the airline industry.

"It's hard work. There's not a lot of money in it," Boyd said. "It's not a
growth industry right now."

With his wife Marian, whom he met at Braniff, he decided "we wanted to live
in Colorado."

So in 1984 they opened an office in Idaho Springs and founded The Boyd
Group. Eventually, they built the office in Evergreen.

His clients include Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer and he has
worked recently with Continental, Delta and Northwest airlines.

As a small independent consultancy, "We don't have to worry about being
politically correct," Boyd said.

In late 2001 for example, Boyd railed at federal officials about problems
with security.

"After all the window dressing that (Transportation Secretary Norman) Mineta
and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) have placed on us, no one is
going to believe what they say ever again," he said then.

He has also openly criticized United Airlines, particularly its low-fare
operation Ted, which he has called "a paint job and a press release."

Some who have borne the brunt of his remarks are not happy about his
comments, but were not willing to speak on the record. But others say his
candidness has its benefits.

"I think Michael Boyd is probably one of the most respected airline experts
in the country," said Andrew Hudson, a spokesman for Frontier Airlines. "He
calls it like it is, and I think sometimes the truth hurts."

The schedule for Boyd's conference at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Denver
next month features a lineup of airline executives including Frontier
Airlines chief executive Jeff Potter, AirTran Airways president Robert
Fornaro, JetBlue president Dave Barger, airline analyst Ray Neidl and
America West chief executive Doug Parker.

The Oct. 10-12 confab includes three forecast sessions: on airline trends
and emerging strategies; airport traffic and air service trends; and
aircraft demand.

"The aviation industry is on a very different path than it was just a year
ago," Boyd says in a summary of events planned.

Those attending will hear hard predictions, Boyd promises, and "political
correctness is not allowed into the room."

WHAT MIKE BOYD IS SAYING
Three key issues to watch in the aviation industry, according to Evergreen
consultant Mike Boyd:

UNITED AIRLINES 
"There's a severe directional issue at the top. Their biggest problem is
they haven't had a clear plan."

DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 
Its biggest challenge could be if Southwest Airlines decides to fly to
Colorado Springs. "Colorado Springs fits their template perfectly," Boyd
said of the no-frills airline.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 
"The air traffic control system is a mess," Boyd said, adding that airlines
could save billions each year if the system were more efficient.

DETAILS  
Michael Boyd 

Title: President, The Boyd Group

Age: 56

Born: New York

Personal: Married to Marian Henley Boyd since 1983

Education: Michigan State University, bachelor's degree in social science

Years in Colorado: 20

What they're saying: "He calls it like it is." - Andrew Hudson, Frontier
Airlines spokesman

Attached Photo:

Aviation consultants Michael and Marian Boyd discuss plans for their ninth
annual aviation forecast conference next month

BZ27CCBOYD.jpg