At the last minute, potential pilot strikes at Scandinavian carrier SAS have been postponed for three days while the two sides engage in further mediation.  

Pilots’ unions from Denmark, Norway and Sweden had sent a notice of conflict in a row over pay and cost cuts, with strikes due to start from June 29, 2022, if no agreement could be reached with management. The two sides have been in mediation for weeks. 

However, SAS issued a statement in the early hours of June 29 to say that mediators, SAS and the unions had decided to extend the mediation deadline until July 2, at 00:01 CET (22:02 UTC July 1). 

“SAS welcomes the mediators’ decision as it continues to be the company’s firm ambition to reach an agreement and avoid a strike,” the airline said in the brief statement.  

Troubled SAS is in the middle of a restructuring process and is seeking to reduce costs, debt, trim its fleet and raise new funds. It said on June 27 that pilot walkouts during the busy summer travel period would have a significant impact on operations and warned that alternative flights may not be available for customers. 

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