Scandinavian Airlines Gets USD 1.5 Billion to Survive COVID-19 Crisis
The package includes issuing new shares and converting bonds into shares. In the statement, SAS said that amid the global travel restrictions caused by the pandemic it had taken measures “to radically reduce costs as a result of the decline in demand, which is not expected to return to pre-COVID-19 levels before 2022.”
Stockholm, June 30: Scandinavian Airlines said Tuesday it is getting an aid package worth 14.25 billion kronor ($1.5 billion) after an agreement with its main shareholders, securing the carrier's survival amid the COVID-19 crisis.
The governments of Sweden and Denmark, which own shares in the airline, were partly financing the recapitalization plan, SAS said in a statement. The aid package was also financially supported by its third main owner, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, a Swedish public and private foundation. Civil Aviation Ministry Calls Meeting of Airlines, Airport Operators on Sunday to Discuss SOP on Resumption of Domestic Flight Operations.
The package includes issuing new shares and converting bonds into shares. In the statement, SAS said that amid the global travel restrictions caused by the pandemic it had taken measures “to radically reduce costs as a result of the decline in demand, which is not expected to return to pre-COVID-19 levels before 2022.”
The recapitalisation plan is subject to approvals by a general shareholders' meeting and the European Commission.