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Air France-KLM has announced plans to take control of SAS Scandinavian Airlines by increasing its ownership stake to 60.5% by the end of 2026. This move follows an initial investment made last year, which currently stands at 19.9%. The increased stake will give Air France-KLM majority control over SAS and a stronger position in Europe's Nordic region.
"We are excited by the prospect of fully welcoming SAS into the Air France-KLM family," said Ben Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM. "This operation would benefit our customers and all Scandinavians who would enjoy enhanced connectivity, as well as the SAS teams whose dedication has been key to restore their airline to its rightful place."
The acquisition is part of a broader trend of consolidation among European airlines. After Air France-KLM's initial investment in 2024, SAS shifted from the Star Alliance to the SkyTeam Alliance and formed new partnerships with Delta Air Lines. Other airlines like Italy's ITA Airways, Portugal's TAP Air Portugal, and Spain's Air Europa are also targets for acquisitions. Lufthansa Group acquired ITA earlier this year, while negotiations continue for TAP and Air Europa.
