Beginning June 2, 2026, SAS will launch five weekly nonstop flights from its hub at Copenhagen Kastrup Airport to Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The service will be operated using Airbus A330-300 aircraft, offering a mix of business, premium economy, and economy class seating. (Image: SAS)
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SASScandinavian Airlines (SAS) is making a strategic return to the Indian market after a 17-year hiatus, announcing a new year-round route between Copenhagen and Mumbai. The move is part of the airline’s broader realignment as it transitions from the Star Alliance to SkyTeam.
Beginning June 2, 2026, SAS will launch five weekly nonstop flights from its hub at Copenhagen Kastrup Airport to Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The service will be operated using Airbus A330-300 aircraft, offering a mix of business, premium economy, and economy class seating.
“This route is a natural progression in our strategy to diversify and rebalance our long-haul network,” SAS President & CEO Anko van der Werff said in an interview with Aviation Week on June 25. “India, and particularly Mumbai, has been underserved from Scandinavia. Launching this connection is a key step as we integrate with SkyTeam.”
Overcoming Obstacles to Launch
Van der Werff noted that Mumbai had long been on SAS’s radar, but challenges such as aircraft availability and the closure of Russian airspace had delayed the launch. With two new Airbus A350s expected to join the fleet in 2026, SAS will have the additional capacity needed to support new intercontinental routes.
When asked about potential collaborations with local carriers, van der Werff expressed interest in exploring a partnership with India’s largest airline, IndiGo. “IndiGo has built an impressive network. I expect that over time we’ll work together, and I’ll be reaching out to their CEO, Pieter Elbers,” he said. SAS’s system integration of the Mumbai route should help lay the groundwork for future interline or codeshare agreements.
Strengthening Global Connectivity
India is a key growth market, and SAS sees an opportunity to serve both point-to-point travelers and transfer passengers connecting to Europe and North America. Copenhagen, which offers seamless onward connections throughout Scandinavia and beyond, is positioned as a strategic entry point for Indian travelers.
Van der Werff emphasized that SAS takes a long-term view with new long-haul investments, typically forecasting meaningful returns in the second or third year. He pointed to the example of the airline’s Toronto service, which started with narrowbody A321LR aircraft and was later scaled up with widebodies during peak travel seasons. A similar phased strategy is likely to be applied to Mumbai.
Ongoing Network Transformation
SAS’s network restructuring continues as it pivots from Star Alliance to SkyTeam. The airline has already launched new services to key SkyTeam hubs, including Atlanta and Seattle, and realigned its New York operations to leverage Delta Air Lines’ hubs at both JFK and Newark Liberty airports.
In September 2025, SAS will inaugurate its first route to Asia under the new alliance strategy with flights to Seoul Incheon, expanding its footprint in the East and enhancing connectivity with Korean Air, a fellow SkyTeam member.
“Our new partners are engaging actively,” van der Werff told Air Transport World. “For instance, Delta is launching service from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Copenhagen, which will boost connectivity and passenger flows in both directions.”
Looking Ahead
SAS is emerging from its recent restructuring as a more agile and resilient airline, focused on sustainable growth and global competitiveness. The carrier is investing in fleet modernization, customer experience enhancements, and expanded global connectivity through its evolving SkyTeam alliance relationships.
With the addition of Mumbai, SAS reaffirms its commitment to offering a truly global network and positioning Copenhagen as a key northern gateway between Europe and the rest of the world.
Source: GLO
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