Air France-KLM, the Franco-Dutch airline group, is gearing up to boost its stake in the Scandinavian airline SAS from nearly 20% to a whopping 60.5%, making it the majority owner and officially folding SAS into its group. This takeover, pending regulatory approval and expected to close in the second half of the year, marks a seismic shift in SAS’s ownership. The Danish government, one of SAS’s biggest shareholders, will hold onto a stake above 25%, but will that be enough to keep any real influence? Last year, SAS raked in €4.1 billion in revenue and flew 25 million passengers, proving it’s no small player in the aviation game. Air France-KLM’s CEO, Benjamin Smith, said they’re excited to welcome SAS into the family, but many are wondering — is this the death knell for SAS’s independence? This acquisition could shake up the market, competition, and passenger experience big time. Will Air France-KLM keep SAS’s quality and identity intact, or will it be a total makeover? Stay tuned and drop your thoughts — is this a genius move or the beginning of the end for one of Scandinavia’s favorite airlines?
