Scandinavian Airlines’ Swedish division has formally notified authorities that it might be forced to lay of up to 230 pilots and cabin crew following SAS Group’s decision to ground the Bombardier Q400 fleet.
There is no indication yet, however, about possible effects in the carrier’s Danish division.
SAS Group opted to withdraw the Q400 fleet last month after Scandinavian Airlines suffered a spate of gear-related landing accidents.
A spokeswoman for SAS says that the Swedish division must, under Swedish law, put forward an estimate of possible job losses. But she stresses that no-one has been laid off and adds: “We’ll do everything we can to work out solutions for everybody.”
Since the grounding the company has been leasing aircraft both from carriers within SAS Group and other Scandinavian operators such as Transwede, Cimber Air, City Airline, Skyways and Atlantic Airways.
SAS Group has been given special authorisation to lease aircraft until 1 December and expects to be permitted to prolong this period if necessary. The company is intending to enter longer-term leases to help redress its capacity shortage.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
