SAS Reaches Crucial Deal With Cabin Crew, Averting Extended Strike

Scandinavian airline SAS has successfully negotiated a wage deal with Norwegian cabin crew, ending a strike that grounded numerous flights. The agreement, which includes a 7.5% pay raise and improved working conditions, allows SAS to focus on restructuring its business. Unions hailed the deal as a significant win for their members.

Scandinavian airline SAS has successfully negotiated a wage deal with its cabin crew in Norway, effectively ending a strike that has grounded dozens of flights since it began late last week, the carrier announced on Tuesday.

SAS, which has been operating under bankruptcy protection for more than two years, said the agreement would assist in reducing its debts and attracting new investors. Senior company executive Kjetil Haabjoerg noted, "We can now put our full focus on finalising the restructuring of SAS and set the course to build and grow a profitable airline."

Unions had planned to escalate the strike to include more cabin crew members if no deal was reached by Wednesday. Although some disruptions were anticipated for Tuesday, SAS expects normal flight operations to resume by Wednesday. Martinus Roekkum, head of the SAS Norway cabin association at labour union Parat, stated that the deal includes a 7.5% wage increase, more time off, and longer meal breaks for employees.

Joern Eggum, leader of the Norwegian Federation of Trade Unions, called the agreement "a big and important win for our members." Approximately 120 SAS employees had started the strike on Friday, stranding thousands of passengers and halting about 50 flights on Monday to demand better pay and working conditions. The deal follows a similar scenario in 2022, when a 15-day strike by SAS pilots resulted in the grounding of 3,700 flights and led to the company filing for U.S. bankruptcy protection.

(With inputs from agencies.)