Copenhagen Airport could get more long distance flights after SAS takeover
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Air France-KLM wants to introduce more long distance flights out of Copenhagen if, as expected, the company completes a takeover of Scandinavian airline SAS.
CEO of Air France-KLM Ben Smith said at a press conference on Friday that the takeover would mean more long distance SAS flights from Copenhagen, media Finans reports.
"SAS is currently underrepresented on long distance routes. We want more long distance departures out of Copenhagen, because the airport doesn't have its fair share right now. There will be growth in the number of long distance routes," Smith said.
The comments from the Air France-KLM CEO come after the company announced on Friday that it is to initiate proceedings to take a majority stake in SAS.
The former company intends to increase its ownership stake in SAS from 19.9 percent to 60.5 percent by the end of next year, by acquiring shares currently held by investment groups Castlelake and Lind Invest.
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The Danish state, which also owns part of SAS, will retain its 26.4 percent stake and its seats on the board, while Air France-KLM will hold a majority of the board positions, news wire Ritzau reported.
Smith said the company would invest in Copenhagen Airport to make it its third hub, joining existing hubs for the airline in Amsterdam and Paris.
In a SAS statement, CEO Anko van der Werff said the move would strengthen the Scandinavian airlines's market position by 'positioning Copenhagen as our global hub for the region, while continuing to uphold strong and strategic operations in both Oslo and Stockholm.'
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Local Sweden
04-07-2025
- Local Sweden
Copenhagen Airport could get more long distance flights after SAS takeover
A takeover of Scandinavian airline SAS, announced Friday, could bring more long distance routes to Copenhagen Airport, the airline's new owners have said. Advertisement Air France-KLM wants to introduce more long distance flights out of Copenhagen if, as expected, the company completes a takeover of Scandinavian airline SAS. CEO of Air France-KLM Ben Smith said at a press conference on Friday that the takeover would mean more long distance SAS flights from Copenhagen, media Finans reports. "SAS is currently underrepresented on long distance routes. We want more long distance departures out of Copenhagen, because the airport doesn't have its fair share right now. There will be growth in the number of long distance routes," Smith said. The comments from the Air France-KLM CEO come after the company announced on Friday that it is to initiate proceedings to take a majority stake in SAS. The former company intends to increase its ownership stake in SAS from 19.9 percent to 60.5 percent by the end of next year, by acquiring shares currently held by investment groups Castlelake and Lind Invest. Advertisement The Danish state, which also owns part of SAS, will retain its 26.4 percent stake and its seats on the board, while Air France-KLM will hold a majority of the board positions, news wire Ritzau reported. Smith said the company would invest in Copenhagen Airport to make it its third hub, joining existing hubs for the airline in Amsterdam and Paris. In a SAS statement, CEO Anko van der Werff said the move would strengthen the Scandinavian airlines's market position by 'positioning Copenhagen as our global hub for the region, while continuing to uphold strong and strategic operations in both Oslo and Stockholm.'
Local Sweden
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