Scandinavian Carrier SAS Files for Bankruptcy in U.S.

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), the flag carrier of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, officially filed for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. in a move to cut its debt.

SAS made the move as the major union that represents its pilots continue striking, adding to the travel chaos that has been plaguing European travel this summer.

SAS said that the process will have “no impact on our customers or our relationship with you as a partner and we will continue to operate our business as usual,” including to its loyalty program EuroBonus.

“As a Travel Agent you may continue to book flights. SAS’ reservations and all other customer services and systems are fully expected to continue as they have been,” SAS’s message reads.

What is having an impact, however, is the pilot strike—according to FlightAware, 76% of SAS flights have been canceled on Wednesday, a day after 74% of the carrier’s total schedule was scrapped. SAS has also already canceled close to 30% of its schedule. 

Those issues may worsen, too. The union, which is striking over wage issues, said that nearly 1,000 pilots will join the strike, making it one of the biggest pilot walkouts since 2019.