ALEXANDER CAMPBELL / STOCKHOLM
Cutting crew costs key says flag carrier, which hopes to decide on purchase by August
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is to acquire a regional jet type for introduction by 2005, but only if the carrier can thrash out a new cost-cutting pilot deal.
SAS chief executive Jørgen Lindegaard says the airline is talking to Bombardier and Embraer, and wants to be in a position to decide on a purchase by the end of August. He says that unless the pilots' unions agree to a new contract cutting crew costs on regional jets and turboprops, there will be no regional jet order. "We have a definite intention to go for regional jets, but we won't unless we have a clear picture of the costs involved," he says.
At present all SAS pilots are on the same contract, regardless of aircraft type, but he believes this is unsustainable. "We have come to the time when we have to differentiate between flying a regional jet and turboprop and intercontinental," Lindegaard says. "It's not a question of reducing salaries - well, it might be for some pilots - but our younger pilots could fly the regional jets."
The regional jets would operate alongside the 24 Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 turboprops of regional arm SAS Commuter "to open a substantial number of new routes", says Lindegaard. "There is room for turboprop and jet operations in Scandinavia. Regional jets are very suitable for some thinner routes."
Lindegaard says SAS wants to acquire "large regional jets" and that aircraft now available are too small. "We need a supplier to guarantee the increase in size we need to get unit costs down," he says.
Source: Flight International
