SAS suffers heavy consequences from Russian airspace ban, says report

According to a recent report, SAS has been severely affected by the ban on overflights of Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian airspace. This measure has led to a drastic drop in passenger traffic and a significant increase in flight times, particularly on the Copenhagen-Shanghai route, which has been lengthened by 19 %. The extended route means higher operating costs and a loss of competitiveness for the airline. In reply, SAS is overhauling its routes and investing in innovative technologies to improve operational efficiency and consolidate its market position. These crucial actions should strengthen its resilience in the face of challenges.

SAS suffers heavy consequences from Russian airspace ban, says report

A recent report by SAS Aviation Insight highlights the significant repercussions for European airlines of the denial of access to Russian airspace. This ban, combined with the closure of Belarusian and Ukrainian airspace, is leading to a significant drop in flight capacity, particularly affecting European carriers. The restrictions are having a negative impact on passenger traffic and the profitability of strategic routes, particularly those linking Scandinavia to Asia.

Longer routes and higher operating costs

The impossibility of flying over previously used airspace leads to major detours. For example, a route such as Copenhagen-Shanghai now requires up to two hours extra flying time in each direction, an increase of 19 % journey time. This translates into additional fuel consumption, reduced operational efficiency for aircraft and crews, and higher operating costs. What's more, longer flight times have an impact on freight payloads, calling into question operators' competitiveness in this market segment.

This phenomenon is not isolated to SAS. A number of Western airlines are seeing their passenger numbers drop significantly compared with carriers still able to use less disrupted air corridors. The situation is also affecting all related activities, such as air freight, where longer routes mean delays and additional transport costs. To find out more about the impact on other players in the sector, read the article on stagnating traffic in Frankfurt.

Exacerbated competition and the need for a level playing field

The closure of Russian airspace puts Western carriers at a further disadvantage. While SAS has confirmed that it will be discontinuing certain direct flights to China from 2025, Chinese airlines, benefiting from flying over less restricted areas, have been able to exploit an increase in capacity on these routes. This disparity underscores the importance of establishing a level playing field to guarantee the safety of our customers. durability and connectivity of European air networks. For further analyses of the adjustment of financial forecasts in a similar context, visit Delta Air Lines and its revised forecasts.

Effects on the route network and on air freight

The impact is not limited to passenger routes. The long detours on the routes pave the way for serious disruptions in the air freight sector. Cumulative delays and rising transport costs are affecting trade between Europe and Asia, calling into question the overall efficiency of commercial exchanges. These disruptions are worrying many economic players who depend on optimal responsiveness and efficiency in freight transport.

The strategy adopted to counter these challenges involves exploring alternative routes and strengthening partnerships, while investing in cutting-edge technologies, such as more fuel-efficient aircraft, to partially offset the extra costs involved. Technological modernization thus becomes an essential lever for maintaining the sector's competitiveness.

Future prospects for SAS and the airline industry

Despite the difficult environment, SAS continues to seek innovative solutions to maintain and expand its network. For example, the company plans to open a new route to Seoul as early as September 2025. Even if this new route is impacted by restrictions on Russian airspace, with competition also affected in this segment, it could prove profitable and promising. To better understand the adjustments made by other industry players, discover the recent changes made by United Airlines.

In addition to route reconfiguration, it is interesting to note that some airports are also seeing their operations suffer as a result of this economic climate. London Heathrow airport, for example, could face particularly chaotic weekends due to an unforeseen increase in traffic, as detailed in the article on Heathrow.

At the same time, safety continues to be a top priority. Airport authorities, like those led by the FAA at Washington-Reagan, are implementing additional measures to enhance safety, a topic hotly debated in the article on security at Reagan airport.

Impact of airspace closure on SAS

Axis	Consequences
Flight time	Flights lengthened by almost 19% (e.g. +2 hours on certain routes).
Fuel consumption	Significant increase, affecting energy efficiency.
Operational efficiency	Reduced performance for aircraft and crews.
Operating costs	Increased spending, jeopardizing competitiveness.
Passenger traffic	Significant reduction in flows on affected routes.
Freight market	Reduced capacity and delays, hampering trade.
International competition	Carriers benefiting from shorter routes increase their offers.
Technology investments	Moving towards more efficient aircraft fuel-efficient and innovative solutions.
Regional economic impact	Reduced revenues from tourism and business travel.

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