SAS continues to grow and has the highest customer satisfaction in 11 years after having reduced costs by a quarter

SAS continues to grow and has the highest customer satisfaction in 11
years after having reduced costs by a quarter

Following last autumn's decision to expand, SAS has started 13 new
routes this year and an additional four new routes will be introduced
this coming autumn. SAS will also launch its second long haul route
within a year next March with Copenhagen-Shanghai. At the same time, the
customer satisfaction has reached its highest level in 11 years and in
June, SAS passenger load factor was at a record high.

Last month, SAS ordered 30 new Airbus A320neo aircraft, the market's
most environmental and fuel efficient aircraft. SAS has also an option
on an additional 11 A320neo. This complements this spring's decision to
sign a leasing agreement of 17 Boeing 737 Next Generation, which in some
years will result in a harmonized aircraft fleet that will make SAS even
more competitive.

-       Following a long term quality improvement program that was
initiated already in 2006, we are starting to see clear results. Not
only that we were Europe's most punctual airline in 2009 and 2010, we
now also have the highest customer satisfaction in eleven years. This
has occurred simultaneously with a reduction in the costs by a quarter,
excluding jet fuel. This has provided for our growth this year and in
combination with our large cost reductions, we have improved our
competitiveness. After the success of both our business and leisure
destinations, we look forward to continuing with our focus on improving
our offering with the best, smoothest and most cost effective travelling
for our customers, says Rickard Gustafson, CEO and President SAS.

SAS punctuality has continued to be of world class during the first six
months of this year and during June, SAS was again Europe's most
punctual airline. The passenger load factor was also at a record high in
June at 80.6%. During the first half of 2011, the SAS Group increased
the capacity by 10%, above all on Intrascandinavian routes as well as
European routes where SAS introduced a number of new leisure routes in
addition to more frequencies on business destinations. Within the same
timeframe, the number of passengers has increased by more than 12%. SAS
has also increased its market shares in important markets such as the
European traffic to/from Denmark and in Norwegian domestic. In addition,
the new route Oslo-New York has clearly exceeded expectations. On 1
March next year Copenhagen-Shanghai will be launched, which will be SAS'
second new intercontinental route within less than one year. SAS is also
working intensely on extending the collaboration with international
partners, for example a deeper collaboration with Singapore Airlines has
been communicated.

New initiatives

Following the positive feedback, SAS will throughout the summer and
autumn 2011 take new initiatives to invest in product improvements, new
frequencies and routes. The successful cost reductions and increased
flexibility in the production has allowed SAS to open new routes from
Stockholm to Venice and Bologna. During the summer, SAS has started new
seasonal routes to Madrid from Oslo and Bergen. In addition, SAS even
flies to Moscow, Split and Palma Mallorca from Oslo.

The demand on the leisure routes to South Europe is better than expected
and the number of bookings is 15% above the corresponding level last
year, which demonstrates that SAS has improved its competitiveness
within the leisure segment.

This autumn, SAS will continue to expand and open the route
Stockholm-Gdansk, Oslo-Palanga and Copenhagen Palma Mallorca. In
addition, SAS will increase frequencies on Stockholm-Milano,
Copenhagen-Poznan and Copenhagen-Wroclaw.

For further information
Anders Lindström PR Director, +46 70 997 3394