SAS is implementing major changes throughout the company to adapt to the post-pandemic market with fewer business travelers, more leisure travelers and increased competition. The airline has launched SAS Link, a regional subsidiary, and will open a Bergen base with E195s.
On Monday (January 31, 2022), SAS announced that they will implement major changes across the airline to adapt to the post-pandemic market with fewer business travelers, more leisure travelers and increasing competition. The carrier has launched a new regional subsidiary, SAS Link, which will operate with smaller, more fuel efficient, and environmentally friendly aircraft. SAS Link will open a base in Bergen, Norway with smaller Embraer E195 jets for Summer 2022.
In Monday’s announcement, SAS’ Norwegian CEO, Kjetil Håbjørg, said,
“Aviation all over the world has been among the hardest hit industries since the beginning of the crisis. SAS is no exception. We are therefore very happy to be able to offer a job in an industry that still suffers from many redundancies and that has a long way to go before we can improve. The opening of the base for SAS Link in Bergen is part of our strategy to create a competitive and strong SAS that can take care of Scandinavian infrastructure and existing as well as new jobs.
“This summer, it is expected that many will travel again when society eventually opens up after the pandemic. To meet this demand, SAS will recruit 600 pilots, cabin crew and ground personnel by the summer. This includes hiring at the new base in Bergen, where about 100 new employees will be hired locally to ensure an extensive network in Western Norway.
“SAS is the preferred airline for those traveling to, from and within Scandinavia. With a new base in Bergen, SAS’s customers get an even better offer in Western Norway. This is important for the whole country and ensures critical infrastructure in a country that is completely dependent on a well-functioning aviation. We see Bergen as a strong region with great potential. If the establishment is successful and demand increases, we will consider more routes domestically and abroad. This will connect the whole of Norway more closely to the rest of the world and contribute to economic growth.”
SAS is the leading airline in Scandinavia, normally carrying over 30 million passengers annually from its main hubs in Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm to 125 destinations in Europe, the US and Asia (pre-pandemic figures). The company has targeted a reduction in carbon emissions by 25 percent by 2025, compared to 2005 levels, and hopes to transition to 100% biofuel for domestic flights by 2030. SAS also offers ground handling services, technical maintenance and cargo services. The carrier is a founding member of the Star Alliance, which offers an extensive global network.
Source: SAS