SAS Braathens to be renamed SAS Norge

SAS Braathens, Norway's largest scheduled airline, will become SAS Norge on June 1. The name change, which was proposed by SAS Braathens' CEO Ola Strand, was approved by the company's general assembly this afternoon. "The time is right for changing our name and identity, now when the operational integration is completed," said John Dueholm, Chairman of the Board of SAS Braathens. "Our company was founded on the pillars of two great airlines with strong traditions and cultures. Together we have spent the last couple of years building a new airline. Although a demanding process, we have now accomplished the most important part of the project," said Ola Strand. The new formal name is SAS Scandinavian Airlines Norge, abbreviated to SAS Norge. It will fit in naturally with the other carriers in the SAS Group: SAS Sverige (Sweden), SAS Danmark (Denmark) and SAS International. "For 60 years we have been an important part of the infrastructure which ties Norway together. This is not going to change. With 18 domestic destinations we serve more regions of Norway than any other carrier. This will continue to be our primary market," Strand said. While SAS Norge will continue to provide the largest volume of low-fare tickets in the Norwegian market, it will also offer an extensive range of additional services, a large route network and many departures. SAS Norge will retain the Norwegian flag painted on the fuselage of its aircraft. Further information: Thomas Midteide, Director Media Relations, telephone +47-9571.1704