SAS to cut fleet after heavy losses

摘要

SAS Group is to take 11 aircraft out of its fleet and has dropped plans to add another Airbus A340 after launching a SKr1.1 billion ($183 million) short-term efficiency programme to counter losses. The Scandinavian company, which suffered a heavy first-quarter operating loss of SKr872 million, is to cut capacity by about 5% from this autumn. It has also decided "not to implement" the planned addition of an A340 to serve new long-haul routes. SAS Group says the changes will reduce its workforce by about 1,000 full-time employees. The company blames its dismal first-quarter results on increased competition and high fuel prices. The loss for the three-month period wiped out last year's small first-quarter profit.