Widerøe Takes Over SAS Operations at Line Stations in Norway

In line with the letter of intent signed in June 2015, SAS and Widerøe have agreed to transfer the operations at all of SAS Ground Handling’s line stations in Norway to Widerøe Ground Handling.

SAS Ground Handling’s operations at 14 line stations in Norway will be transferred to Widerøe on 1 February 2016.

The transfer corresponds to approximately 850 full-time positions and the takeover of existing agreements for equipment and premises, as well as handling contracts.

The transaction is being conducted as an operations transfer, meaning that the transaction in itself will have no significant impact on SAS’ earnings.

Following the transfer, SAS will purchase ground services from Widerøe Ground Handling as an external service and the parties have entered into a five-year contract for those services.

“The transfer of the operations at the line stations in Norway to Widerøe is in line with our strategy of focusing on flight operations, while at the same time reducing the company’s fixed costs. In Widerøe, we have a high-quality and reliable supplier that will ensure a smooth outsourcing process for our employees. We look forward to continuing to work with Widerøe and together developing our ground product for the good of our customers,” said Rickard Gustafson, SAS President and CEO.

Widerøe already has ground operations at a further 28 airports in Norway that support Widerøe’s regional routes.

Stein Nilsen at Widerøe, said, “We look forward to taking over SAS Ground Handling’s operations at the line stations, which will complement our existing ground operations and provide us with more opportunities to further develop the product. SAS and Widerøe already have a close and successful cooperation relating to Widerøe’s regional flight operations and we look forward to extending this to ground services.”

Through this transfer, Widerøe also takes over the external contracts that SAS has at a number of line stations in Norway.