SAS established at the new Oslo airport, Gardermoen

SAS established at the new Oslo airport, Gardermoen The first SAS aircraft departed from the new Oslo airport, Gardermoen at 6.30 am, Tuesday 8 October 1998. This was not only a milestone in Norwegian aviation history, but also a milestone for SAS and the company's activities in Norway. The dominant airline SAS' presence at Gardermoen is more than noticeable. Not only is SAS the largest tenant and the dominant airline in the terminal building, it is also the largest individual property developer apart from the airport owners. SAS buildings include technical base, freight and mail terminals as well as other operational buildings - comprising a total of nearly 90.000 square metres and representing an investment of NOK 1,35 billion. In the terminal building, SAS have opened new and spacious Business and Scandinavian Lounges in a separate SAS block. For the first time, the lounges will also be available for domestic passengers. In the same building, there are also facilities for crew and other employees, offices and the SAS ticket offices, next to check-in island no. 2, the main check-in area for SAS. SAS Trading, the winner of the tax free sales contract running through 2004, will present several new concepts in addition to the traditional tax free shop. There will also be gift shops for both domestic and international passengers. In all, SAS will have around 4,300 employees working at and out of Gardermoen. SAS has introduced a relocation program as an offer to employees that wish to relocate to the region and so reduce commuting time. For those who do not wish to move closer to the new airport, SAS has contributed to finding good transportation solutions. Furthermore, SAS has focused on offering a substantially improved work environment, including larger work areas, new furniture, better lighting, ventilation as well as a number of new facilities and tools. Increased competitive power For many years, the old airport at Fornebu has represented a barrier to SAS' development in an increasingly competitive market. Lack of capacity has denied SAS a necessary and much wanted expansion of its activities. With the opening of Gardermoen, these barriers have been removed. SAS has substantially increased the number of flights in and out of Gardermoen. Norwegian domestic flights will increase by around 20 return flights per day, with Ålesund and Kristiansand as new Norwegian destinations. The number of flights to Stockholm, Copenhagen and London has also been increased. While the new Gardermoen means that SAS is able to increase activities in the Norwegian market, it also means that competition from existing and new players will increase. This is a development that we welcome. It has always been SAS' view that competition on equal terms is to the benefit our passengers. SAS will exploit the opportunities that Gardermoen gives to be in the forefront of the competition, always striving to offer our passengers a better product, service and value for money. The new SAS The opening of the new airport at Gardermoen coincides with the introduction of The New SAS - characterised by new products and concepts, increased focus on individual customer service, simplicity, flexibility and care for our travellers. The most visible manifestation of the new SAS is a new corporate identity program that reflects an SAS well positioned for the challenges of the future. The new Oslo airport and the new Terminal 3 at Copenhagen airport, which is used exclusively by SAS and SAS partners, are both important prerequisites for the new SAS and the many new initiatives and changes designed to make SAS an even more competitive airline long into the new millennium. For further information, please contact SAS Communications & Public Relations office in Norway, telephone: +47 67 59 88 00 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/07/30/20030730BIT00230/wkr0001.DOC http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/07/30/20030730BIT00230/wkr0002.pdf