Scandinavian Airline to Choose Between Paying Pilots or Piper

Some two-hundred aircraft mechanics have joined almost one-thousand striking SAS pilots in an ongoing dispute over pay, working conditions, and corporate restructuring plans at the struggling Scandinavian airline. 

SAS pilots have accused the joint Danish/Norwegian/Swedish flag-carrier of hiring new pilots at two of its subsidiaries—SAS Link and SAS Connect—at perniciously low pay rates.

The disgruntled aviators allege the airline undertook the hiring scheme to circumvent its obligation to rehire approximately four-hundred pilots laid off during the pandemic at their outgoing rates of pay. SAS maintains rehiring the furloughed pilots at their former pay-scale is inconsistent with cost-cutting measures the airline has undertaken. 

Confronted with the addition of maintenance personnel to the ranks of the striking pilots, SAS management asserted it would have its planes serviced in other countries—a measure that tacitly substantiates its pilots’ claim of draconian operating principles.   

Northern European charter-tour outfit Apollo Rejser asserts that more than twelve-thousand holiday-makers could be left stranded as a result of the SAS mechanics’ throwing in with the striking pilots. 

Apollo Rejser sales director Glenn Bisgaard voiced his company’s concern that alternative airlines lack sufficient capacity to bring home the large number of travelers currently enjoying the height of the European tourist-season. Mister Bisgaard further stated that accommodations stand to become an issue as increasing numbers of travelers find themselves stuck in popular, but under-serviced destinations such as smaller Greek islands. Ergo, Apollo Rejser has sent a letter to SAS appealing for a rapid end to the labor conflict. 

While the mediation efforts are confidential, information provided by both sides seems to indicate there is still a major gap between SAS management and pilots’ unions.

At present, flights operated by SAS subsidiaries SAS Connect and SAS Link along with most charter flights have been unaffected by the pilots’ strike. This could be set to change, however, as the striking mechanics service planes used by SAS Connect and on some charter routes.

SAS claims it does have a solution. Nevertheless, further disruption to the carrier’s operations either during or immediately after the ongoing strike appear likely.

FMI: www.flysas.com