Sweden and Denmark fly to the rescue of SAS airline

STOCKHOLM, Sweden – Sweden unveiled on Monday, June 15, a plan to recapitalize struggling Scandinavian airline SAS, which said Denmark was also planning to the plan to help it weather the effects of the COVID-19 crisis.

Sweden’s Industry Minister Ibrahim Baylan said the government was willing to inject up to 5 billion kronor (474 million euros, $534 million).

The project requires approval from lawmakers.

SAS said in a statement that the Danish government would also contribute to the recapitalization, but did not provide a figure.

In its statement, SAS said it estimates its funding needs some 12.5 billion kronor and plans to provide more details about the recapitalization and related measures by the end of the month.

Like many airlines, SAS has been hit hard as the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic has wiped out demand for air travel. 

In mid-March, the airline furloughed 90% of its staff and in late April SAS announced it was laying off 5,000 staff, accounting for about 40% of the company’s workforce.

Sweden and Denmark, SAS’ two largest shareholders, have already stepped in to help the airline. At the beginning of May, they agreed to provide a 90% guarantee for a revolving credit facility of 3.3 billion kronor so the airline would have more access to cash. – Rappler.com