SAS and Singapore Airlines to form strategic alliance

SAS and Singapore Airlines to form strategic alliance SAS and Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced today the formation of a strategic alliance that will provide passengers of both carriers with a wide range of improved benefits and seamless travel. The alliance will come into effect on April 1, 1999. A Memorandum of Understanding confirming the alliance was signed today in Singapore by Mr. Jan Stenberg, President & CEO of SAS and Dr. Cheong Choong Kong, Deputy Chairman & CEO of SIA. The two airlines are expected to finalise an agreement by the end of the year. The partnership will cover code-share services, frequent flyer programs, network and schedule development, through check-in, reciprocal use of airport lounges, joint promotions and marketing. SIA currently operates three weekly non-stop flights between Singapore and Copenhagen, while SAS maintains daily services via Bangkok. As part of the agreement SIA will code-share on SAS's Copenhagen-Bangkok- Singapore flights four times a week, while SAS will code-share on SIA's three weekly direct flights between the two cities. Consequently, the two carriers will be offering joint daily services between Scandinavia and Singapore. "Our partnership with SIA, an airline known for its quality and service, means that SAS will be able to offer customers improved service benefits, more choice and better travel solutions to and from the Pacific area via Singapore," said Jan Stenberg. "SIA's route network enables SAS to provide excellent services to all of southeast Asia and also Australasia as a result of SIA's cooperation with Ansett and Air New Zealand.", he said. The partnership with SAS will allow SIA to offer efficient connections to and from destinations in Denmark, Norway and Sweden via Copenhagen, and similarly to and from destinations across SAS's extensive European network, including the Baltics. Welcoming the MOU, Dr. Cheong said, "The SAS-SIA partnership has all the hallmarks of a strong alliance. SAS is especially strong in the Baltic region and northern European markets. It is highly respected for its standards of safety, service and reliability. We possess similar attributes, and our extensive Asia/Pacific route network complements that of SAS." The two carriers will operate from the same terminal in Singapore as well as in Copenhagen, and qualified passengers will have access to the airport lounges of both airlines. Implementation of through check-in procedures will result in easier travel, since passengers need to check- in with their baggage only once. Recently, both SAS and SIA have each made huge investments to boost their corporate image. On September 24, SAS launched a 700-million Swedish kronor corporate identity program including new livery, its first in 15 years. In September, SIA unveiled a S$500 million new product, which provides a brand new travel experience in all three classes. SAS has a fleet of 168 aircraft, serving 100 cities in 34 countries. SIA operates a fleet of 90 aircraft and serves 82 cities in 40 countries. With effect from October 25, 1998, in light of code-sharing arrangements with other alliance partners, the number of SIA destinations will increase to 97. For further information, please contact: SAS, Corporate Communications Tel. +46-8-797.2081 Fax +46-8-797.1515 Singapore Airlines, Public Affairs Dept. Tel. +65-541.5880 Fax +65-545.6083 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/07/30/20030730BIT00250/wkr0001.DOC http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/07/30/20030730BIT00250/wkr0002.pdf