SAS says that customers are returning and that traffic is at 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels by summer. But the Norway manager is worried about the Norwegian market. – There is excess capacity in the Norwegian domestic market, and that is pushing prices down. Airplane seats in Norway are sold too cheaply, says Kjetil Håbjørg. HIGH DEBT: – There is excess capacity in the Norwegian airline market, says Kjetil Håbjørg, Norway’s head of SAS. Photo: William Jobling / news The airline industry is tough SAS CEO Anko van der Werff agrees: Let’s call a spade a spade. There is excess capacity on Norwegian domestic roads. Many have tried to start and take a position in the Norwegian market, but failed. This is a tough industry and not easy to succeed over a long period of time. We have been here for 76 years and will continue for another 76, and Norway will remain our largest market, says van der Werff. TOUGH INDUSTRY: SAS CEO Anko van der Werff says the airline industry is tough, not least in the Norwegian market where many have tried their hand. Photo: Ksenia Novikova / news The most recently arrived competitor Flyr has reduced its Norwegian route program to a minimum this winter, and is reassessing its domestic routes next year. SAS lost 23 billion in three years The SAS figures are presented in Swedish currency. In Norwegian kroner, the losses over the last three years correspond to more than 23 billion Norwegian kroner. The SAS group again presents blood-red figures today with a deficit in the last quarter of 1.2 billion Swedish kroner. Last financial year, the company lost SEK 8 billion. SAS will not turn a profit until 2024, says SAS CEO in Norway Kjetil Håbjørg. SAS is now trying to renegotiate debts and leasing agreements and is protected against bankruptcy under American law. According to van der Werff, the process is going as planned. All refunds repaid in December The strike this summer and a number of redundancies due to a lack of pilots and cabin crew led to an avalanche of passenger claims against SAS. In a total of 120,000 cases, customers have demanded refunds, and it has been time-consuming to get through everything. LOVER: All refunds after the strike this summer must be paid out during December, says SAS Norway spokesperson Tonje Sund. Photo: Privat – But during December, everything will be in place and people will get their money back, promises SAS’ spokesperson Tonje Sund. SAS is fined NOK 100,000 for being too slow with refunds
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