Bonusfeber.se met SAS CEO Rickard Gustafson, for an exclusive interview about the new long-haul routes, SAS basic strategy and the importance of alliances. Here you can see the first part of the interview  

New phase in SAS history Rickard Gustafson has been mainly in the forefront in the implementation of a history of change within the SAS Group. Saving programs have succeeded each other and today, SAS is a significantly different business than when he took office. Now, not many people are talking about crisis any longer, but instead of expansion, opening new routes and new planes. Something that SAS boss is pleased, but the intense focus on efficient operations will continue. “It is a hard industry we are in, and competition will certainly become even stronger in the coming years,” says Rickard Gustafson Bonusfeber.se He continues :  “We must continue to focus on costs and efficiency, but it is positive that we can now focus on the future.” 

SAS long line focus? East West?

SAS CEO says SAS has not defined any focus on whether it is Far East or the US is the primary market for the company in the future. “We are trying to meet the needs, which are for passengers who travel to, from and within Scandinavia,” he says. “We must also take into account the SAS geographical location and, therefore, SAS focus is on the northern hemisphere,” says Rickard Gustafson. He says that, for example, makes no sense for SAS to fly to South Africa. You will fly over all the major European airline plastics and it will be difficult to get the Europeans to first fly north and then south again.

Where will the lines starting in Scandinavia? “

Copenhagen will continue to be our main base – and then it will be many years to come also “says Gustafson” But we focus on flying from the cities, where customers and lines are profitable. Therefore, we open new routes from Stockholm and Oslo. We are for the whole of Scandinavia “he says.

See other Delan of the interview with Rickard Gustafson tomorrow here on Bonusfeber.se When we talk among other things about the significance alliance, SAS crisis and the future of the European aviation industry.