SAS Scandinavian Airlines Expands Summer 2025 Routes from Copenhagen

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is set to significantly expand its operations at Copenhagen Airport (CPH) for the summer 2025 season. As part of its strategy to enhance its primary hub, SAS will introduce 14 new routes, mainly focusing on short-haul European leisure destinations, while also boosting frequencies on 15 existing routes.

In addition to its Copenhagen expansion, SAS will maintain robust services from its other two main hubs: Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) and Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN). The airline plans up to 125 daily departures from OSL to more than 60 destinations, while ARN will feature over 120 daily departures across 70 routes.

SAS is also launching a new seasonal route between Oslo and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), marking the first time in over 30 years that this route will be served. The daily flights, starting March 30, 2025, will use Airbus A321LR aircraft and complement the existing Newark service operated with Airbus A330-300s. Additionally, SAS has signed a wet-lease agreement with Braathens Regional Airlines (BRA) to support domestic routes at ARN.

Anko van der Werff, CEO of SAS, highlighted the airline’s renewed focus on strengthening its global network. “Following new ownership and the successful completion of our restructuring, SAS is emerging as a competitive and financially strong airline. By enhancing Copenhagen as our main hub and expanding our network, we are boosting connectivity and driving economic growth not only in Denmark but across Scandinavia,” he said. Van der Werff also emphasized Copenhagen’s role as a central gateway for travel between Europe, North America, and Asia.

The new routes from Copenhagen will connect the Danish capital with Billund, Denmark; Bodø, Harstad/Narvik, and Kristiansand, Norway; Budapest, Hungary; Bucharest, Romania; Krakow, Poland; Lyon, France; Madrid, Seville, and Valencia, Spain; Malta; Milan Linate, Italy; and Turku, Finland. Data from OAG Schedules Analyser reveals that seven of these routes were previously served by other carriers during the summer 2024 season.

“Copenhagen’s attractive location in continental Europe allows for efficient same-day travel across Northern, Central, and Western Europe,” SAS said in a statement. The hub will also play a key role as a transit point for long-haul travel, connecting Europe with North America and Asia.

SAS has made several strategic changes following its exit from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. in late August. With a $1.2 billion exit financing package from a consortium of new owners—including Air France-KLM, Castlelake, Lind Invest, and the Danish state—the airline is now financially stable. As part of its restructuring, SAS exited Star Alliance and joined SkyTeam on September 1, 2024. The airline has already signed codeshare agreements with SkyTeam partners Air France, KLM, and Delta Air Lines.

In September 2024, SAS held a 34.9% seat capacity share at CPH and a 37.5% share at ARN, making it the largest operator at both airports. It is also the second-largest carrier at OSL, with a 34.5% seat capacity share, trailing Norwegian’s 40.1%. CPH remains SAS’s largest hub, accounting for 19% of its total seat capacity.