S A S Cancels Codeshare Agreement With Thai Airways

[webfact]

SAS cancels codeshare agreement with Thai Airways
BY ANDERS HOLM NIELSEN



BANGKOK: -- The summer shutdown of SAS flights to Bangkok plus a new joint venture between SAS and Singapore Airlines will now have an effect on Thai Airways. For some years now SAS have had a codeshare agreement with Thai Airways from Bangkok to the many regional destinations in Asia. That agreement has now been cancelled by SAS as of April 8 where the Bangkok route will be closing down temporarily.

In stead, SAS signed a codeshare-agreement with Thai on local traffic between Scandinavia and Bangkok and domestic flights in Thailand.

“We will lose some of the “beyond Bangkok” traffic but we stand to gain on the direct Thailand traffic,” says Director of Sales from Thai Airways, Flemming Sonne.

He is pleased that Thai Airways will have a codeshare agreement with SAS from Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen directly to Bangkok.

With more flights from Copenhagen and Oslo to Bangkok during the summer months, Flemming Sonne looks forward to the new dimension of the cooperation.

Together with Singapore Airlines, SAS will now try to move the passengers who previously traveled to Asia with SAS via Bangkok so that they will travel beyond Bangkok with Singapore Airlines in stead of Thai Airways.

The two airlines have created a joint venture on flights between Copenhagen and Singapore, where theoretically all expenses and earnings will be shared 50/50.

“There is more strength in a joint venture as it offers more opportunities. But it also requires large commitment from the involved parties,” says pres officer Trine Kromann-Mikkelsen from SAS.

Last week, SAS said that the expanded cooperation with Thair Airways from Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm was in addition of their regional codeshare destinations in Thai Airways’ network in Asia, but not in the summer season. SAS confirms that when they resume the flights in the winter season a new codeshare agreement will be signed and the airline will once again be connected with Thai Airway’s network.

Source: http://scandasia.com/thai-air/

-- ScandAsia 2013-03-15

[laurentbkk]

Well , SAS is free to do what is best for his passengers no ? I have to admit , Singapore air line is far much better airline than Thai airways. Economy and specially Business class.

[Locationthailand]

Nothing like a bit of competition for Thai anyway and Singapore has always had very high standards. Seems to be a win win though. The headline isa bit misleading as SAS are not pulling out of Thailand.

[rfukata]

"where theoretically all expenses and earnings will be shared 50/50."

could be one of the reasons why SAS & Singapore airline code share marriage rather than Thai air.

[writeshack]

what a confusing story and headline - SAS, SIA, Thai Airways. Agreement cancelled, no wait, it's been signed, Huh? Who's doing what and with whom?

[IsaanUSA]

what a confusing story and headline - SAS, SIA, Thai Airways. Agreement cancelled, no wait, it's been signed, Huh? Who's doing what and with whom?

After reading the article, I have no idea!

[NanLaew]

The SAS/THAI codeshare will be for Copenhagen/Stockholm/Oslo-Bangkok-domestic Thai sectors (no onward international sectors) using TG aircraft.

The SAS/Singapore Air codeshare will be for Copenhagen-Singapore-regional international sectors using SQ aircraft.

Then it will all change in the winter when SAS (SK) planes resume flying to/from Bangkok!

Edited March 15, 2013 by NanLaew

[Soi Sauce]

So the farangs are not toeing the Thai line that Thais are better than anyone at anything.

Hopefully more will follow and Thais may start to think about customer service, not making polipissoms rich.

[oldsailor35]

So the farangs are not toeing the Thai line that Thais are better than anyone at anything.

Hopefully more will follow and Thais may start to think about customer service, not making polipissoms rich.

Think its about time for Thai airways to have a crackdown .........on something or the other !

[attento]

Sadly, SAS is in deep financial disorder. They are seeking every possibility for turning a profit, however small and/or unlikely. The company is weighed down with a legacy of debt and high operating costs, and is now faced with the harsh reality of competition from the low-cost airlines operating in it's home airspace. SAS was a founding shareholder of Thai Airways, so there have been good reasons for operating ties. That shareholding link ended many years ago, but now there is no affinity between the two airlines.

[Dork]

I have never met a single Scandinavian that would prefer to fly SAS than THAI.

[NanLaew]

.... but now there is no affinity between the two airlines.

Apart from the new code share where THAI will provide the aircraft on the international sectors to/from Bangkok and onwards on Thailand domestic sectors only.

And their joint membership of Star Alliance.

[infernalman7]

As a Swedish, I would prefer Thai to SAS any day.

What a shame though. Thai Airways used to be part of SAS. I know SAS tried its hardest to keep the Bangkok <-> Stockholm / Copenhagen <-> Bangkok route because these two were the original connection with Thailand prior to the start of Thai Airways International by SAS.

[OMGImInPattaya]

I have never met a single Scandinavian that would prefer to fly SAS than THAI.

Agreed. I once took a SAS flight from bkk to sng and it had to be one of the worst flights ever! Surly service and old plane.