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Trade and Industry Minister Iselin Nybø (V) and Transport Minister Knut Arild Hareide (KrF) held a meeting with SAS group management in Norway on Friday, where they were briefed on the situation.
A similar meeting had previously been held with Norwegian and, on October 6, it was Widerøe’s turn.
– We depend on aviation. Airlines are now in a more demanding situation than ever in modern times, Hareide says.
Demanding decision
As a result of the corona pandemic, Norwegians’ travel activities have plummeted. In the spring, the government raised NOK 6 billion in loan guarantees for businesses, and on Sunday it was announced that the government wants to extend the scheme until the new year.
Neither Hareide nor Nybø would discuss on Friday what measures are being considered or when the government will make its recommendation.
– We will assess whether we will help aviation and, if so, how, says Nybø.
Hareide notes that it is a demanding decision.
– It’s a question of using community funds. But it is important for us to maintain competition in Norwegian aviation, he says.
– We probably all hoped to return to an autumn that was becoming more and more normal. We have seen the opposite for aviation, he adds.
SAS wants three measures
SAS CEO Kjetil Håbjørg refers to NHO aviation’s forecast of a loss of revenue for aviation of up to NOK 40 billion this year and next.
– The period we are facing now is incredibly demanding, he tells NTB.
The company supports NHO’s proposal for three competition-neutral measures:
* Support scheme for the purchase of flight services
* Exemption from taxes and fees.
* Cash support scheme
– We want all three measures, says Håbjørg.
– Survive to
However, SAS is not in danger of bankruptcy, he emphasizes.
– We have responsible owners who have defended us and we are in the process of implementing a financial restructuring. We want to survive, says Håbjørg.
