Golden anniversary for SAS Poland

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) approach their fifth decade in Poland with an 18-fold annual increase in net profits for 2006, bringing in SEK 4.74 (zł.2) billion worldwide. Operational revenues are up 9.5 percent to SEK 60.78 (zł.25.5) billion.

The company attributes its success to increased passenger loads in countries like Poland, where passenger numbers rose 10 percent and revenues shot up 23 percent, as well as to improved customer service and expanded e-technology. Global passenger loads hit 38.6 million in 2006.

"We're looking optimistically into the future and celebrating 50 years on the Polish market in May with results like the ones we're seeing for January this year," proclaimed Karl-Göran Karlsson, the general director of SAS Poland.

Goals for 2007 seek a seven-percent increase in revenues, expansion of services to Asia and North America (via New York) as well as increasing passenger loads for travel from Szczecin and Poznań at a projected increase in passenger loads of 109 and 44 percent, respectively. The airline plans to further develop its "One Way" tariffs and new Economy Extra class, as well as improve e-services. Leading the industry in "environmental landings," SAS claims that it takes advantage of advanced technologies to save 100 kg of fuel for every flight while reducing emissions and noise levels.

SAS offers 44 flights weekly on the Copenhagen-Warsaw route in cooperation with Wrocław's Climber Air as well as six flights weekly to Helsinki on the Blue 1 subsidiary line. The company is listed on stock exchanges in Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm.