Scandinavian Airlines set on expansion, adds number of long-haul and European routes

SAS will expand its route network with two new long-haul routes. Oslo-New York will commence end-March 2011, whilst Copenhagen-Shanghai will start during winter 2011. In addition, SAS will also launch a number of new European routes, as well as significantly increase frequency across its key short haul routes by 150 new weekly departures.

"Due to significantly reduced costs, a world-class product and improved market conditions, there are now greater prerequisites for a profitable expansion for SAS. We will improve our customer offering with both new routes and extensively adding new frequencies on existing routes," says Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer, SAS.

"We are adding one Airbus A340 this winter as previously announced and another A340 next winter, which will bring our long-haul fleet to eleven. We are also adding back in traffic three short haul aircraft, previously leased out, during spring 2011," says Kamark.

The Oslo-New York route will be launched March 27 next year and serviced daily with an Airbus A330-300, offering 34 Business class seats, 35 Economy Extra and 195 Economy seats, whilst Copenhagen-Shanghai will start as five times weekly as of next winter, using an Airbus A340-300, which offers 46 Business class seats 28 Economy Extra and 171 Economy seats.

The additional European frequencies will be continuously introduced during spring 2011. Compared to same period last year, SAS will offer150 more departures a week on key routes.

In addition four new routes will open: Oslo-Munich, Oslo-Palma, Oslo-Split and Stockholm-Venice.

"With record-high load factor, the world's best punctuality record and the only airline in the world with the environmental certificates ISO14001 and EMAS, SAS is really ahead of the game right now, which is noticeable amongst our customers as we are also scoring the highest customer satisfaction right now," says Kamark.