Aviation news April 4, 2025 – Air France-KLM, SAS, airline acquisition, aviation industry, European airlines, airline merger, aviation news, Scandinavian Airlines, airline investment, Air France-KLM SAS deal
Air France-KLM is planning to acquire a majority stake in Scandinavian airline SAS, further expanding its influence in the European aviation market. The Franco-Dutch airline group already owns 19.9% of SAS and intends to purchase an additional 40%, securing a controlling interest in the company.
While the total value of the new transaction has not been disclosed, the scale of the deal is expected to involve several hundred million euros. For reference, when Air France-KLM acquired its initial 19.9% stake last summer, it paid $144.5 million, equivalent to approximately €123 million.
SAS, or Scandinavian Airlines, is a major carrier in Northern Europe. The company operates a fleet of 138 aircraft and serves over 130 destinations worldwide. Each year, it transports more than 25 million passengers and employs more than 10,000 people. In 2024, SAS generated €4.1 billion in revenue.
By comparison, Air France-KLM transported 98 million passengers in the same year, with a reported revenue of €31.5 billion. The acquisition of a controlling stake in SAS marks a significant step for Air France-KLM in strengthening its footprint in the Nordic region and enhancing its competitiveness in the global aviation sector.
Photo Jeroen Vogelaar
