SAS - Scandinavian Airlines (SAS - Scandinavian Airlines) is a combined national airline of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
Office in Moscow: 125047, Moscow, st. 1st Tverskaya - Yamskaya, 5.
History
2023
Air France-KLM bought 19.9% of SAS
On October 3, 2023, the European holding airline Air France-KLM announced the conclusion of an agreement to acquire 19.9% of the bankrupt Scandinavian air carrier SAS. In the future, Air France-KLM may increase its stake to a control one.
A consortium of investors, which includes Air France-KLM, Castlelake L.P. and Lind Invest ApS, are reportedly investing $1.175 billion in SAS with the Danish government. At the same time, Air France-KLM itself will provide $144.5 million. The agreement stipulates that Air France-KLM, at least two years after the closure of the transaction, will be able to become the controlling shareholder of SAS. The deal is set to win approval from a number of regulators, including the European Commission and the U.S. bankruptcy court.
 | This is an important day for SAS and Air France-KLM. We are excited to be part of the consortium - the winner of the bidding chosen by the SAS board. Air France-KLM hopes to establish strong commercial ties with SAS. With strong positions in Scandinavia and a strong SAS brand, we will get excellent business development opportunities, "said Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM. |  |
The deal will further consolidate the European aviation industry around Air France-KLM and two other major air carrier groups - Deutsche Lufthansa AG and IAG SA. The market transformation is taking place against the backdrop of the restoration of tourist air travel after the lifting of severe restrictions imposed in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The alliance with SAS will strengthen Air France-KLM's position in Scandinavia. As part of the deal, SAS will withdraw from Star Alliance Lufthansa and eventually join the SkyTeam union co-founded by Air France.[1]
Blocking company services by hackers, ransom demand
On May 24, 2023, the multinational company Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), the leading carrier of the Scandinavian countries, was subjected to a massive cyber attack, as a result of which key IT services ceased to function.
The cybercriminal group Anonymous Sudan claimed responsibility for the invasion. It is reported that users began to face difficulties when trying to log into their accounts. The main SAS website and mobile application turned out to be inoperable. Passengers could not check in for flights and/or print their boarding passes. As a result, a crowd of people formed at airports.
| | We now have technical problems and are working to solve them. Please try again later. We apologize for any inconvenience, - said SAS in response to numerous complaints about the inoperability of online services. | |
Anonymous Sudan cybercriminals demanded a ransom of $3,500 to stop the attack. Then the amount was increased 50 times - to $175 thousand. Moreover, the attackers threatened to continue to increase the ransom if their demands were not met within a certain time. Hackers have announced their ability to carry out a DDoS attack for "many days" - this could cause huge damage to the airline's business.
| | The longer you save the payment, the more the ransom will increase. It doesn't matter to us. The choice is yours - don't underestimate our strength because it's only a matter of time before we ask for millions and you see your company crumble before our eyes. Decide: either lose thousands of customers, millions of dollars and lose your reputation, or fulfill our simple requirements, says the Anonymous Sudan group.[2] | |
Customer data theft
On February 15, 2023, Scandinavian Airlines (Scandinavian Airlines, SAS) reported a cyber attack, as a result of which the company's IT infrastructure was damaged, and some personal data of passengers were disclosed.
According to the message of the leading air carrier of the Scandinavian countries, the hacker attack led to the inaccessibility of the company's website and its mobile application. In addition, some of these customers became visible to other passengers.
| | We are currently investigating the incident but can state that contact details of affected passengers, previous and upcoming flights, and the last four digits of the credit card number were visible. There is no risk that this information could be used for criminal purposes. The leak did not affect passport data, the Scandinavian Airlines said in a statement. | |
The cybercriminal group Anonymous Sudan, which simultaneously attacked the IT infrastructure of the Swedish public broadcaster SVT, claimed responsibility for the hack. At the same time, hackers from the UserSec group said on Telegram that they were helping Anonymous Sudan attackers attack Sweden's airports.
The notice from Scandinavian Airlines emphasizes that such attacks are usually massive, and therefore other companies in the air transportation sector can be hacked, as indicated by the UserSec message. The SAS says it always cooperates with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), police and other law enforcement agencies when it comes to safety, regardless of the issue at hand.
| | We are closely monitoring the situation and continue to work on analyzing and assessing the attack and its associated consequences, as well as taking preventive measures, the Scandinavian Airlines said in a statement.[3][4] | |
2022: Filing for bankruptcy
In early July 2022, the Scandinavian carrier SAS filled out bankruptcy documents in an attempt to get rid of a debt of $1.9 billion.
The company failed to negotiate with pilots to raise salaries, and they began a strike, exacerbating the port chaos in Europe, writes Reuters. The strike will cost the company $10 million a day.
2021: 2nd place in the purchase of jet fuel in Russia
2020
Support from the governments of Denmark and Sweden for $1 billion
In 2020, the European Commission allowed Denmark and Sweden to support Scandinavia's largest air carrier SAS, which has suffered from the fight against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, in the amount of up to approximately one billion euros.
This recapitalization process involves support from private investors, the EC notes.
EC Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager, whose words are quoted in the release, noted that SAS plays a key role in ensuring communication between the Scandinavian countries, as well as in their economy. The contribution of the authorities of the two countries should help the airline withstand the current crisis.
Dismissal of 90% of employees
In mid-March 2020, the Scandinavian airline SAS announced the dismissal of almost 10,000 employees, who accounted for 90% of the total number of employees of the air carrier. This move was a response to the coronavirus pandemic and related measures by the authorities that restrict international air travel.
| | It is important to note that we do not intend to lay off our employees on an ongoing basis, - said the CEO of the company Rickard Gustafson at a press conference in Stockholm. | |
Reductions will be carried out in all divisions of the organization in accordance with national legislation. The airline will also cancel most of its flights from March 16. SAS said it would maintain certain routes until that date to provide return flights from various SAS.
| | In the next few days, we will do everything possible to maintain a level of our functionality that would allow our passengers to return home, the message says. | |
According to company representatives, all available SAS funds will remain at the disposal of the authorities, who can hire the company to return home citizens Sweden or to maintain the infrastructure necessary for the normal life of society. SAS noted that it would support flights on domestic routes as well as destinations such as Frankfurt and London. Information about the situation on specific flights will be constantly updated on the airline's website.
The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned citizens to avoid unnecessary travel due to the widespread spread of the new coronavirus due to a "rapidly changing and uncertain situation." This recommendation will be valid until April 14, 2020.[5]
1968
Notes
- ↑ Air France-KLM to team up with SAS AB through equity and commercial cooperation
- ↑ SAS Hit By Cyber Attack As Hackers Demand $175,000
- ↑ Scandinavian Airlines hit by cyberattack, "Anonymous Sudan" claims responsibility
- ↑ sec/151 We announce the start of attacks on Swedish airports
- ↑ SAS Temporarily Lays Off 90% of Workforce, Affecting 10,000 Jobs
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