Scandinavian Airlines System
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| Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) | ||
|---|---|---|
| IATA SK BU |
ICAO SAS CNO |
Callsign SCANDINAVIAN SCANOR |
| Founded | 1946 |
|
| Hubs | Copenhagen Airport Stockholm-Arlanda Airport Oslo Airport, Gardermoen |
|
| Frequent flyer program | EuroBonus | |
| Member lounge | Scandinavian Lounge & Business Lounge | |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | |
| Fleet size | Total: 155 (18 orders) | |
| Destinations | ca 150 | |
| Parent company | SAS AB | |
| Company slogan | It's Scandinavian. | |
| Headquarters | *SAS AB *Scandinavian Airlines Sverige *Scandinavian Airlines Danmark *Scandinavian Airlines Intercontinental *Scandinavian Airlines Norge |
|
| Key people | Mats Jansson (CEO SAS Group Lönnqvist Mats (CFO SAS Group Susanne Larsen (CEO SAS Denmark) Ola H. Strand (CEO SAS Norway) Anders Ehrling (CEO SAS Sweden) Stefan Wentjärvi (CEO Blue1) Andrus Aljas (CEO Estonian Air) Per Arne Watle (CEO Widerøe) |
|
| Website: http://www.flysas.com | ||
Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) is a multi-national airline for Denmark, Norway and Sweden, and the leading carrier in the Scandinavian countries, based in Stockholm, Sweden,[1] and owned by SAS AB. It is a founding member of the Star Alliance and the founder of Air Greenland, airBaltic, Linjeflyg, Spanair, Thai Airways International, and the former charter airline Scanair, and is the 20% owner of bmi as well as 49% of Estonian Air. SAS operates out of three primary hubs, Copenhagen-Kastrup Airport, Stockholm-Arlanda Airport, and Oslo-Gardermoen Airport, Copenhagen being the centre of European and intercontinental flights. In 2006 Scandinavian Airlines had 25 million passengers and the SAS Group had 38.6 million passengers.[2]
Contents |
[edit] History
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The airline was founded on 1 August 1946, when Det Danske Luftfartselskab A/S, Svensk Interkontinental Lufttrafik AB, and Det Norske Luftfartselskap AS (the flag carriers of Denmark, Sweden and Norway respectively) formed a partnership to handle intercontinental traffic to Scandinavia.[3] Operations started on 17 September 1946. The companies coordinated European operations in 1948 and finally merged to form the SAS Consortium in 1951. When established, the airline was divided between SAS Danmark (28.6%), SAS Norge (28.6%) and SAS Sverige (42.8%), all owned 50% by private investors and 50% by their governments.[citation needed]
In 1954, SAS became the first airline in the world to operate a trans-polar route. It was from Copenhagen to Los Angeles, stopping in Søndre Strømfjord in Greenland, and it became popular with Hollywood celebrities and production people when travelling to Europe. The route was a publicity coup for the airline, which became well known as a result. Thanks to a price structure which allowed free transit to other European destinations, these transpolar routes were popular with American tourists in the 1950s. It would later operate trans-polar routes to East Asia, over Greenland and Alaska, since Siberia and China were not allowed to be overflown at that time.[citation needed]
In 1957, SAS was the first airline to offer "round the world service over the North Pole" via the North Pole shortcut, Copenhagen-Anchorage-Tokyo. SAS entered the jet age in 1959 when the first jet aircraft, the Caravelle, entered service. In 1971, SAS put its first Boeing 747 jumbo jet into service.[citation needed]
SAS gradually acquired control of the domestic markets in all three countries by acquiring full or partial control of local airlines, including Braathens and Widerøe in Norway, Linjeflyg and Skyways Express in Sweden and Cimber Air in Denmark. In 1989, SAS acquired 18.4% of Texas Air Corporation, parent company of Continental Airlines, in a bid to form a global alliance. This stake was later sold. During the 1990s, SAS also bought a 20% stake in British Midland along with Lufthansa, which owns 30% (although as of January 2009 LH will own 80% of the carrier). SAS bought 95% of Spanair, the second largest airline in Spain, as well as Air Greenland. There are plans to dispose of all of these holdings.[4]
In May 1997, SAS formed the global Star Alliance network with Air Canada, Lufthansa, Thai Airways International and United Airlines. Four years earlier, SAS unsuccessfully attempted to merge with KLM, Austrian, and the now defunct carrier, Swissair, in a project called Alcazar.[5] This failure led to the departure the following year of CEO Jan Carlzon, who was credited for the financial turnaround of the company starting in 1981 and who envisioned SAS ownership of multiple airlines worldwide. The ownership structure of SAS was changed in June 2001, with a holding company being created in which the holdings of the governments changed to: Sweden (21.4%), Norway (14.3%) and Denmark (14.3%) and the remaining 50% publicly held and traded on the stock market. SAS employs 9147 staff.[citation needed]
In 2004, Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) was divided into four companies: SAS Scandinavian Airlines Sverige AB, SAS Scandinavian Airlines Danmark AS, SAS Braathens AS and SAS Scandinavian International AS. SAS Braathens was rebranded SAS Scandinavian Airlines Norge AS in 2007.[citation needed]
[edit] Awards
SAS has won awards including Airline of the Year and Best International Bonus Promotion.
[edit] Subsidiaries
|
The most recent addition to the fleet is the CRJ900
Airbus A330-343
|
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McDonnell Douglas MD-82 taking off
|
- Scandinavian Airlines International – SAS
- responsible for the SAS International Group's intercontinental traffic with long haul routes to North America and Asia out of the main hub in Copenhagen, as well as Stockholm. Scandinavian Airlines International also operates all sales units outside Scandinavia. Scandinavian Airlines International has 900 employees.
- Scandinavian Airlines Danmark
- responsible for the traffic from Copenhagen to other European countries, the route from Copenhagen to Oslo, as well as for Danish domestic routes. Scandinavian Airlines DK is responsible for the sales units within Denmark. The company has 2800 employees.
- Scandinavian Airlines Sverige
- responsible for the traffic from Stockholm to other European countries, as well as for Swedish domestic routes. Scandinavian Airlines Sweden is also responsible for the sales units within Sweden. The company has 2500 employees.
- Scandinavian Airlines Norge
- Scandinavian Airlines Norge is the result of the merger of SAS Norway and Braathens. The airline was first called SAS Braathens, but changed its name to Scandinavian Airlines Norge in 2007. SAS Norge is responsible for the traffic within Norway, as well as for the routes from Norway to other European countries. SAS Norge is also responsible for the sales units within Norway. The company has 3500 employees.
- SAS Business Opportunities
[edit] Destinations
| Origin | Destination | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockholm (ARN), Sweden | Hamburg (HAM), Germany | 6 July 2009 | Route suspended | |
| Copenhagen (CPH), Denmark | Seattle (SEA), Washington, USA | 1 August 2009 | Route suspended | |
| Stockholm (ARN), Sweden | Stavanger (SVG), Norway | 1 September 2009 | Route suspended | |
| Stockholm (ARN), Sweden | Edinburgh (EDI), United Kingdom | 28 September 2009 | Route suspended | |
| Oslo (OSL), Norway | Cagliari (CAG), Italy | 4 October 2009 | Route suspended | |
| Stockholm (ARN), Sweden | Split (SPU), Croatia | 4 October 2009 | Route suspended | |
| Stockholm (ARN), Sweden | Malaga (AGP), Spain | 11 October 2009 | Route suspended | |
| Stockholm (ARN), Sweden | Palma (PMI), Spain | 11 October 2009 | Route suspended | |
| Oslo (OSL), Norway | Malaga (AGP), Spain | 25 October 2009 | Route suspended | |
| Oslo (OSL), Norway | Palermo (PMO), Italy | 25 October 2009 | Route suspended | |
| Oslo (OSL), Norway | Palma (PMI), Spain | 25 October 2009 | Route suspended | |
| Oslo (OSL), Norway | Venice (VCE), Italy | 25 October 2009 | Route suspended |
[edit] Fleet
See also SAS Group Fleet
[edit] Current Fleet
The Scandinavian Airlines fleet includes the following aircraft (as of March 2009):[6]
| Aircraft | Total | Passengers (Business/Extra/Economy) |
Routes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A319-132 | 4 | 141 | European, Scandinavian | |
| Airbus A321-232 | 8 | 187 | European, Scandinavian | |
| Airbus A330-300 | 4 | 264 (34/35/195) | North America | |
| Airbus A340-300 | 7 |
245 (46/28/171) | North America and Asia | |
| Boeing 737-400 | 4 | 150 | Norwegian Domestic | |
| Boeing 737-500 | 13 | 120 | Norwegian domestic | |
| Boeing 737-600 | 27 | 112-123 | Domestic, Scandinavian, European | Largest operator of the Boeing 737-600 |
| Boeing 737-700 | 17 (+2 orders) |
131-141 | Norwegian domestic, Scandinavian , European | |
| Boeing 737-800 | 16 (+2 orders) |
186 | Domestic, Scandinavian, European | |
| Bombardier CRJ-900 | 6 (6 orders + 17 options) |
88 | Domestic, Scandinavian, European | Dash-8 replacement aircraft. |
| Fokker 50 | 5 | 50 | Norwegian Domestic | |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-81 | 2 | 150 | Domestic | Exit from service: 2009-2010 |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-82 | 34 | 150 | Domestic, Scandinavian, European | 12 MD82 to be retired 2009-2010 |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-87 | 6 |
125 | Domestic, Scandinavian, European | Exit from service 2009 |
SAS Scandinavian Airlines fleet only for subsdidaries see SAS Group fleet. The average age of the SAS fleet is 12.9 years as of June 2009.[7]
[edit] Fleet 1970
| Aircraft | Total | Passengers | Routes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas DC-8-33 | 3 | ca 125 | Long haul | |
| Douglas DC-8-55 | 2 | ca 125 | Long haul | |
| Douglas DC-8-62 | 7 | 156 | Long haul | |
| Douglas DC-8-63 | 5 | ca 210 | Long haul | |
| Douglas DC-9-21 | 10 | 85 | Short haul | |
| Douglas DC-9-32 | 2 | ca. 75 | Short haul | |
| Douglas DC-9-41 | 14 | 99 | Short haul | |
| Sud Aviation Caravelle | 9 | 80 | Short Haul | |
| Convair CV-440 | 12 | 40 | Short haul | |
| Boeing 747 | 2 on order. | Long haul |
SAS Scandinavian Airlines Fleet year 1970.[8][9]
[edit] Fleet 1980
| Aircraft | Total | Passengers | Routes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A300 | 3 | 242 (18/224) | European, Intra-Scandinavia | LN-RCA, SE-DFK, SE-DFL |
| Boeing 747-200 | 4 | 353 | Long haul | |
| Douglas DC-9 | 61 | 75-122 | Short haul, domestic | |
| Douglas DC-8 | 8 | 156 | Long haul | |
| Douglas DC-10 | 5 | 267 | Long haul |
SAS Scandinavian Airlines fleet year 1980-1981.[10][11]
[edit] Retired fleet
| Type | Years | Routes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortress" | 1946 | Long haul | from ABA |
| Junkers Ju 52 | 1946-1956 | Norwegian domestic | from DNL |
| Douglas DC-3 | 1946-1957 | European | |
| Douglas DC-4 | 1946-1956 | Long haul | |
| Short S.25 Sandringham | 1948-1951 | Norwegian domestic | from DNL |
| Douglas DC-6 | 1948-1960 | Long haul | |
| Douglas DC-6B | 1952-1964 | Long haul | |
| Convair Metropolitan | 1956-1970 | European and domestic | |
| Convair 990 | European | ||
| Sud Aviation Caravelle III | 1959-1974 | European and domestic | |
| Douglas DC-7 | 1956-1967 | Long haul | |
| Douglas DC-8 | 1960-1985 | Long haul | |
| McDonnell Douglas DC-9 | 1968-2003 | European and domestic | SAS had the largest fleet of this aircraft type |
| Fokker F28 | 1973-1999 | European and domestic | |
| McDonnell Douglas DC-10 | 1974-1991 | Long haul | |
| Boeing 747 | 1971-1989 | Long haul (Los Angeles, New York and Far East) | |
| Airbus A300 | 1980-1987 | European | |
| Fokker F27 | 1984-1990 | European and domestic | |
| Boeing 767 | 1989-2004 | Long haul | |
| Saab 2000 | 1997-2003 | European and domestic | |
| Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 | 2000-2007 | European and domestic | retired due to landing gear issues |
[edit] Dash 8 Q400 removal
On 28 October 2007, in a move that was described as unique by the Swedish news, the board of directors announced that all 27 Dash 8 Q400 aircraft were to be removed from service due to three landing gear failures.[12]
A press release from SAS said that the company had reached a settlement with Bombardier and Goodrich, where the airline would receive SEK one billion as compensation, while SAS would purchase 27 new aircraft, with an option of 24 more. These aircraft will consist of 13 of the CRJ900 Nextgen (10 to SAS and 3 to Estonian Air) and 14 of the updated Q400 Nextgen units (8 to airBaltic and 6 to Widerøe), with 7 additional options. [13][14]
SAS received one CRJ-900 on December 3 2008. They currently have four such planes, having received the fourth in March 2009.[15]
[edit] Fingerprint biometric identification
In 2006 SAS Sweden launched a new biometric system in use throughout Sweden. Each passenger's fingerprints are matched to their respective checked baggage, for security purposes. The new technology will be phased into all airports that SAS serves, though use of the system is voluntary for passengers. The system has also been introduced in Norway.
[edit] Cabin
[edit] Domestic
- One class
- Breakfast is served free, after 9am sandwiches and drinks are available for purchase from the "CloudShop" buy on board programme.[16][17][18]
[edit] Intra-Scandinavia
- Passengers booked with a Business class ticket travel in Economy Extra on Intra-Scandinavian flights.
- Economy Class
- Breakfast, sandwiches and drinks are available for purchase from the "CloudShop".[16][17][18]
- Economy Extra
- Fast-track at the Security at some European airports, a three-course cold meal or cold breakfast.
[edit] Europe
- Economy Class
- Breakfast, sandwiches and drinks are available for purchase from the "CloudShop".[16][17][18]
- Economy Extra
- Fast-track at security at some European airports, a three-course cold meal or cold breakfast. The Economy Extra class is priced almost like Business class, and it is a play with words, since the state authorities and many companies in at least Sweden have rules saying that air travel shall be done in economy class if possible.
- Business
- Fast-track at security at some European airports and access to lounges. Free centre seat. Free magazines and destination newspapers are distributed in the cabin. Cocktails and cold snacks are served before meal, a three-course hot meal or hot breakfast, on flights shorter than 1 hours and 40 minutes a cold meal is served. After the meal dessert, coffee/tea and avec are served separate. Before landing a give-away is handed out (e.g. Valhrona chocolate).
[edit] Intercontinental
- Economy Class
- Cocktails before dinner, and a three-course dinner is served (including two free alcoholic beverages). The starter is typically a salad, followed by a hot meal, fresh bread and dessert. Coffee or tea is also served. Between meals, juice, water, snacks and sandwiches are available, depending on the length of the flight. Avec and other alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. On night flights, breakfast is served before landing. On day flights a cold meal is served.
- Economy Extra
- Fast-track at security at some European airports, juice upon boarding, cocktails and cold snacks are served before dinner. A three-course dinner is then served. The starter is normally a salad, followed by a choice between two hot main dishes, accompanied by fresh bread and dessert. Coffee or tea with brandy, cognac or liqueur is also served. Between meals juice, water, snacks and sandwiches are available, depending on the length of the flight. A hot breakfast or lunch is served on Asian flights, while on US flights a snack or breakfast is served.
- Business
- Fast-track at security at some European airports and access to lounges, upon boarding, cocktails are served, and cocktails and cold snacks are available before dinner. A full three-course dinner follows. The starter is a mixed salad, followed by a first course and a choice of four hot meals for the main course. There is always one vegetarian alternative. Cheeses and desserts are served together with coffee or tea with brandy (cognac/liqueur). Alternatively, there is the option of a light cold meal on all night flights, served before the main dinner service. In between meals there is a buffet in the galley serving a range of coffee and sandwiches. On night flights breakfast will be served before landing, with an option of choosing an express breakfast or a Grab and Go Breakfast bag after landing. On day flights a second meal will be served.
[edit] Euro Bonus
[edit] Frequent flyer programs
SAS own program EuroBonus, also earns points on other Star Alliance Frequent flyer programs.
[edit] Membership clubs
Fly Home Club, for Scandinavians living abroad.
[edit] SAS lounges
[edit] Locations
The following locations are SAS Scandinavian, Stockholm, and Business locations:
- Brussels Airport
- Charles de Gaulle Airport
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Copenhagen Airport (2)
- Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport
- Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
- London Heathrow Airport
- Newark Liberty International Airport
- Oslo Gardermoen Airport (2)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
- Stockholm-Arlanda Airport (3)
EuroBonus Gold card members are allowed to use partner clubs, as well as Star Alliance Gold lounges, which offer more clubs in more locations. For partner club information, visit http://www.flysas.com/: [5].
[edit] Partners
Besides the agreements SAS has with its Star Alliance partners, SAS also has strategic agreements with Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian and United. The agreement includes code sharing and time tables that are suited for easier connections between SAS and the other airlines. SAS also co-operates with the other airlines in the SAS Group.
SAS has begun codesharing with Shanghai Airlines, which just entered the Star Alliance, complimenting codeshares with Air China.
[edit] Incidents and accidents
| Wikinews has related news: Scandinavian Airlines System landing gear failures prompt grounding of Bombardier Q400s |
- On 4 July 1948, a DC-6B, SE-BDA collided with a British military plane at Northwood, north of London, England. All 32 on board were killed.
- On 19 January 1960, a Caravelle III, OY-KRB crashed near Ankara, Turkey. All 42 on board were killed.
- On 13 January 1969, SAS flight 933 DC-8-62, LN-MOO, hit the water while approaching Los Angeles. 15 of the 45 on board were killed.
- On 19 April 19, 1970 a DC-8-62, SE-DBE, experienced an uncontained engine fire during takeoff from Rome. Aircraft burned out, but all on board managed to evacuate safely.
- On 30 January 1973, a DC-9-21, LN-RLM SAS flight 370, Oslo-Alta via Tromsø, was cleared for takeoff from runway 24. The takeoff run was normal and the DC-9 rotated at VR (125 knots). At that moment the stall warning system activated. Although the speed had increased to 140 knots (259 km/h), the pilot aborted the takeoff. The remaining 1100 m was not enough to bring the aircraft to a halt, the reversers did not deploy completely and the aircraft overran the runway and onto the ice covered Oslofjord. All passengers and crew evacuated before the plane broke through the ice and sank 20 minutes later. The decision to abort the take-off in spite of the high speed was because the flight crew had received outdated (by several hours) runway data, giving much better braking coefficients than the actual ones.
- On 28 February 1984, SAS Flight 901, DC-10, LN-RKB departed Oslo (GEN) for a flight to New York JFK. The aircraft touched down 1440 m past the runway 4R threshold. The crew steered the plane to the right side off the runway to avoid approach lights. The DC-10 ended up in shallow water. All on board the plane were uninjured.
- On 27 December 1991, SAS flight 751, a MD-81, OY-KHO "Dana Viking" crash landed at Gottröra, Sweden. In the initial climb both engines ingested ice breaking loose from the wings, which had not been properly deiced before departure. The ice damaged the compressor blades causing compressor stall. The stall caused repeated engine surges that destroyed both engines, leaving the aircraft with no propulsion. The aircraft landed in a field and broke in three parts. No fire broke out and all aboard the plane survived. Captain Stefan G. Rasmussen was later decorated by the Danish Queen for his performance. This incident was mentioned on The History Channel's True Action Adventures episode "Against All Odds" which first aired in the United States on 2 April 1997.
- The Linate Airport disaster, involving the highest number of SAS passenger fatalities, occurred on 8 October 2001 in Milan, Italy, when an MD-87, SAS flight SK686, SE-DMA collided with a small Cessna jet during take-off. All 104 passengers and 6 crew aboard SK686 were killed, along with four people on the Cessna and another four people on the ground. Italian authorities established that the cause of the accident was a misunderstanding between air traffic controllers and the Cessna jet, and that the SAS crew had no role in causing the accident. Another factor was the inoperative ground movement radar at the time of the accident.
- On 9 September 2007, a de Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 (Q400), SAS flight SK1209 with 69 passengers and four crew members was in flight to Aalborg Airport when problems with the main landing gear were identified. The pilots were forced to make an emergency landing at Aalborg Airport. After landing the right gear collapsed and the plane toppled to the right and turned around and ended on a field and the right engine caught fire. The fire was immediately extinguished. There were no severe injuries.
- On 12 September 2007, a Dash 8-400 (Q400), SAS flight SK2748 with 48 passengers and 4 crew members was on flight to Palanga, Lithuania when problems with the main landing gear were identified. The pilots were forced to make an emergency landing at Vilnius Airport (better suited for an emergency landing). After landing the right gear collapsed. There were no severe injuries. This accident, along with the Aalborg accident just days earlier, caused all SAS Dash 8-400 planes to be grounded until the beginning of October [19].
- On 27 October 2007, a Dash 8-400 (Q400), SAS flight SK2867 from Bergen, Norway with 40 passengers and 4 crew members was on flight to Copenhagen, Denmark when problems with the main landing gear were identified. The pilots were forced to land the aircraft with port side landing gear up. There were no severe injuries. The aircraft in question was one of six that had been cleared to fly just a month before, following the grounding of the entire Scandinavian Airlines Dash 8-400 fleet due to similar issues with landing gear. The entire fleet was grounded again following the incident. It was subsequently announced that the entire fleet would be retired with immediate effect. [20]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "SAS head office in Sweden." Scandinavian Airlines. Retrieved on 8 June 2009.
- ^ Euroland.com. "Operational key figures". http://www.euroland.com/arinhtml/s-sas/2005/ar_eng/mainPage.asp?operation=aspPage&replang=eng&CompanyCode=s-sas&aryear=2005&pageno=38&artype=ar&ordering=&freesearch=.
- ^ [1]
- ^ SAS plans to sell Spanair and its stake in the British carrier bmi – International Herald Tribune
- ^ Talks Collapse On European Airline Merger – International Herald Tribune
- ^ www.sasgroup.net | Year end report 2009
- ^ Airfleets.net. "SAS Fleet age". http://www.airfleets.net/ageflotte/SAS.htm.
- ^ [2]light Global, 1970-20
- ^ [3]www.scanair.sonnenflieger.se
- ^ Bra Bockers Lexikon. Bokforlaget Bra Bocker, Stockholm 1980.
- ^ [4]www.scanair.sonnenflieger.se
- ^ SAS removes Dash 8 Q400 from service permanently
- ^ "News." Airliner World : 7.
- ^ SAS får en milliard i krasj-erstatning ("SAS gets a billion in crash compensation") e24.no 10 March 2008 (Norwegian)
- ^ "Latest News 2009". sasflightops. http://www.sasflightops.com/dlk/news.html. Retrieved on 2009-06-03.
- ^ a b c "Menu & More Denmark Sep, Oct 2008." Scandinavian Airlines. Accessed October 11, 2008.
- ^ a b c "Cloudshop." Scandinavian Airlines. Accessed October 11, 2008.
- ^ a b c "Menu & More Sverige Oktober 2008." Scandinavian Airlines. Accessed October 11, 2008.
- ^ SAS CLEARS TROUBLED PLANE FOR TAKEOFF
- ^ "SAS removes Dash 8 Q400 from service permanently". SAS Group. http://se.yhp.waymaker.net/sasgroup/release.asp?id=155746. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.
[edit] External links
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to: SAS Scandinavian Airlines |
[edit] Company websites
- SAS website
- SAS Denmark website
- SAS Norway website
- SAS Sweden website
- SAS Group corporate website
- SAS Flight Operations

