Scandinavian Airlines System has suspended a plan to extend its routes in Asia in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, but it will go ahead with a plan to introduce bigger airplanes to the region, Jorgen Lindegaard, president and CEO of SAS Group, said in Tokyo.
Lindegaard was in Tokyo to attend a launch ceremony Saturday at Narita airport for a new Airbus 340-300 link between Tokyo and Copenhagen. The new airplane, replacing the Boeing 767, offers seating for 261 passengers, up from 188, and cargo capacity of 20 tons, up from 10 tons, for the daily route.
Lindegaard said SAS will remain independent despite expected industry consolidation.
He added there will continue to be a need for a key hub airport in Northern Europe.
"This is not a question of airlines, but a question of hubs," he said.