Air France-KLM is making good on its choice to take control of SAS Scandinavian Airlines after first investing within the service final yr.
Under a deal unveiled Friday, the Paris-based airline group will improve its possession stake in SAS to 60.5% by the top of 2026, up from 19.9% right this moment. That would give Air France-KLM majority control of the Scandinavian airline and a dominant place within the Europe’s Nordic area.
“We are excited by the prospect of fully welcoming SAS into the Air France-KLM family,” stated Ben Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, in an announcement. “This operation would benefit our customers and all Scandinavians who would enjoy enhanced connectivity, as well as the SAS teams whose dedication has been key to restore their airline to its rightful place.”
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SAS is one of a number of carriers on the middle of European airways’ newest consolidation spree. Air France-KLM’s preliminary funding in 2024 noticed the Scandinavian airline shift allegiance to the SkyTeam Alliance from Star Alliance, and forge new partnerships with the likes of Delta Air Lines. Italy’s ITA Airways, Portugal’s TAP Air Portugal and Spain’s Air Europa are additionally amongst takeover targets with the Lufthansa Group buying ITA earlier this yr, and TAP and Air Europa nonetheless in negotiations with suitors.
The internet result’s a shifting map of airline partnerships, together with SAS’s shift to SkyTeam and ITA’s pending transfer to Star. International Airlines Group (IAG), father or mother firm of British Airways and Iberia, is reportedly in shut talks to purchase TAP, which might be a acquire for the Oneworld alliance on the expense of Star.
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Since shifting into Air France-KLM’s orbit in 2024, SAS has expanded its connections with the group and different SkyTeam members. The airline has added nonstops from its major hub at Copenhagen Airport (CPH) to Delta’s New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) hubs, and Korean Air’s Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) hub, schedule information from aviation analytics agency Cirium exhibits.
Air France-KLM executives have stated that SAS will finally be a part of the group’s transatlantic be a part of enterprise with Delta and Virgin Atlantic Airways.
The funding is SAS additionally provides a 3rd main European hub — Copenhagen — to Air France-KLM’s community. Its major hubs, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) for KLM and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) for Air France, face numerous progress constraints. The Dutch authorities is actively working to prohibit flights at Schiphol, whereas industrial actions and different limits problem operations Charles de Gaulle. Copenhagen, in accordance to airport authorities, has room to develop.
SAS additionally has massive bases on the Oslo Airport (OSL) and Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport (ARN).
Air France-KLM will improve its stake in SAS by shopping for out fellow traders Castlelake and Lind Invest. The deal is anticipated to shut within the second half of 2026 pending regulatory approval.
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