Scandinavian Airlines is set to reduce capacity, raise fares and introduce a temporary fuel surcharge as it responds to sharply rising jet fuel costs linked to the Middle East conflict.
Speaking to Swedish media, CEO Anko van der Werff said the airline has already begun trimming its schedule, cancelling several hundred flights in March, with a more significant reduction planned after Easter.
SAS expects to cancel at least 1,000 flights in April, equivalent to roughly 30–35 flights per day, or a low single-digit percentage of its approximately 800 daily departures. The cuts will primarily target routes with multiple daily frequencies, allowing the airline to consolidate passengers onto alternative same-day services, with affected customers offered rebooking options.
The capacity adjustment comes as jet fuel prices have surged in recent weeks. Van der Werff said fuel costs have effectively doubled within a short period, creating a significant financial shock for airlines. In response, SAS has introduced a temporary fuel surcharge on new bookings and increased fares, with average ticket prices rising by around SEK500 on short-haul routes and approximately SEK2,700 on transatlantic services.
The airline indicated that the measures are part of a broader effort to respond quickly to a volatile cost environment affecting the European aviation sector. While demand remains relatively stable, the speed and scale of the fuel price increase has forced carriers to prioritise cost control and yield management.
SAS added that it will continue to monitor the situation and adjust its schedule as needed, underscoring the ongoing uncertainty facing airlines as geopolitical tensions continue to impact fuel markets and operating conditions.