Press Release: State aid: Commission opens in-depth inquiry into State measure in favour of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to verify whether a public support measure granted in 2012 by Sweden and Denmark to Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is in line with EU state aid rules. The Commission has also examined other measures in favour of SAS in 2009, 2010 and 2012 and has come to the conclusion that they were carried out on market terms and therefore do not involve state aid.

SAS is the major air carrier in Scandinavia. Its four biggest shareholders are Sweden (21.4%), Denmark (14.3%), Norway (14.3%) and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundation (KAW) (7.6%). SAS' financial position has been weak for several years and its financial performance has deteriorated significantly since 2008.