The Scandinavian airline SAS will start its flights with its "cheap" descendants SAS Connect and SAS Link from Copenhagen from the beginning of 2022. The airline is reviewing options to expand Connect to Oslo and Stockholm later this year, it said when it presented its results for fiscal year 21 on November 30th.

With an expanded operating model, SAS wants to be prepared for the changes in the market. SAS is launching the new “low-cost” brand Connect at the beginning of 2022. They also want to hold on to the use of wet-lease aircraft.

SAS Connect is to operate the aircraft type Airbus A320. So far, nine of the 70 units have been transferred to this subsidiary. The operation of the Embraer 190 model is to be located at SAS Link. Overall, the group will rely on four “production platforms”: SAS Scandinavia, SAS Connect, SAS Link and Wetlease aircraft.

Connect and Link employees receive lower wages than their counterparts at SAS Scandinavia. This is why the unions are extremely critical of the project and no agreement has yet been reached. Flagging is also a point of contention, because SAS Connect is based on the existing SAS Ireland.