Air France-KLM initiates proceedings to take a majority stake in SAS
Air France-KLM (OTC:AFLYY) has announced plans to increase its stake in SAS from 19.9% to 60.5% through the acquisition of stakes currently held by Castlelake and Lind Invest. The transaction, expected to close in the second half of 2026, follows SAS's successful turnaround and positive results from their 2024 commercial cooperation.
The deal would make SAS a subsidiary of Air France-KLM, with the Danish State retaining its 26.4% stake. The acquisition price will be determined at closing based on SAS's financial performance metrics. SAS currently operates 138 aircraft, serves over 130 destinations, and generated revenue of �4.1 billion in 2024.
The integration aims to fully unlock synergy potential across all business areas, including loyalty programs, with Air France-KLM gaining majority board control. The transaction is subject to regulatory clearances and other conditions.
Air France-KLM (OTC:AFLYY) ha annunciato l'intenzione di aumentare la sua quota in SAS dal 19,9% al 60,5% tramite l'acquisizione delle partecipazioni attualmente detenute da Castlelake e Lind Invest. L'operazione, che dovrebbe concludersi nella seconda metà del 2026, segue la positiva svolta di SAS e i risultati incoraggianti della loro cooperazione commerciale nel 2024.
L'accordo trasformerà SAS in una controllata di Air France-KLM, mentre lo Stato danese manterrà una quota del 26,4%. Il prezzo di acquisto sarà definito al momento della chiusura in base ai parametri di performance finanziaria di SAS. Attualmente, SAS gestisce una flotta di 138 aeromobili, serve oltre 130 destinazioni e ha registrato un fatturato di 4,1 miliardi di euro nel 2024.
L'integrazione mira a sfruttare appieno il potenziale di sinergie in tutti i settori aziendali, inclusi i programmi fedeltà, con Air France-KLM che acquisirà il controllo maggioritario del consiglio di amministrazione. L'operazione è soggetta all'approvazione delle autorità regolatorie e ad altre condizioni.
Air France-KLM (OTC:AFLYY) ha anunciado planes para aumentar su participación en SAS del 19,9% al 60,5% mediante la adquisición de las participaciones actualmente en manos de Castlelake y Lind Invest. La transacción, que se espera cierre en la segunda mitad de 2026, sigue al exitoso cambio de rumbo de SAS y a los resultados positivos de su cooperación comercial en 2024.
El acuerdo convertiría a SAS en una subsidiaria de Air France-KLM, mientras que el Estado danés mantendría su participación del 26,4%. El precio de adquisición se determinará al cierre, basado en los indicadores financieros de SAS. Actualmente, SAS opera 138 aeronaves, atiende más de 130 destinos y generó ingresos por 4.100 millones de euros en 2024.
La integración tiene como objetivo desbloquear completamente el potencial de sinergias en todas las áreas del negocio, incluidos los programas de fidelización, con Air France-KLM obteniendo el control mayoritario del consejo de administración. La transacción está sujeta a aprobaciones regulatorias y otras condiciones.
Air France-KLM (OTC:AFLYY)� Castlelake와 Lind Invest가 보유� 지분을 인수하여 SAS 지분을 19.9%에서 60.5%� 확대� 계획� 발표했습니다. � 거래� 2026� 하반기에 마무리될 예정이며, SAS� 성공적인 구조조정� 2024� 상업 협력� 긍정적인 성과� 따른 것입니다.
이번 거래� SAS� Air France-KLM� 자회사가 되며, 덴마� 국가� 26.4%� 지분을 유지하게 됩니�. 인수 가격은 SAS� 재무 성과 지표에 따라 거래 종료 � 결정됩니�. 현재 SAS� 138대� 항공�� 운영하고, 130� 이상� 목적지� 서비스하�, 2024� 매출은 41� 유로입니�.
통합은 모든 사업 분야에서 시너지 효과� 최대� 발휘하는 것을 목표� 하며, 로열� 프로그램� 포함됩니�. Air France-KLM� 이사� 다수 지분을 확보하게 됩니�. � 거래� 규제 승인 � 기타 조건� 충족해야 합니�.
Air France-KLM (OTC:AFLYY) a annoncé son intention d'augmenter sa participation dans SAS de 19,9 % à 60,5 % par l'acquisition des parts actuellement détenues par Castlelake et Lind Invest. La transaction, prévue pour se conclure au second semestre 2026, fait suite au redressement réussi de SAS et aux résultats positifs de leur coopération commerciale en 2024.
Cette opération ferait de SAS une filiale d'Air France-KLM, l'État danois conservant sa participation de 26,4 %. Le prix d'acquisition sera déterminé à la clôture en fonction des indicateurs financiers de SAS. SAS exploite actuellement 138 avions, dessert plus de 130 destinations et a généré un chiffre d'affaires de 4,1 milliards d'euros en 2024.
L'intégration vise à exploiter pleinement le potentiel de synergies dans tous les domaines d'activité, y compris les programmes de fidélité, Air France-KLM obtenant le contrôle majoritaire du conseil d'administration. La transaction est soumise à l'obtention des autorisations réglementaires et à d'autres conditions.
Air France-KLM (OTC:AFLYY) hat Pläne angekündigt, seinen Anteil an SAS von 19,9% auf 60,5% durch den Erwerb der Anteile von Castlelake und Lind Invest zu erhöhen. Die Transaktion, die voraussichtlich in der zweiten Hälfte des Jahres 2026 abgeschlossen wird, folgt auf die erfolgreiche Umstrukturierung von SAS und die positiven Ergebnisse der kommerziellen Zusammenarbeit im Jahr 2024.
Der Deal würde SAS zu einer Tochtergesellschaft von Air France-KLM machen, während der dänische Staat seine 26,4% Beteiligung behält. Der Kaufpreis wird zum Abschluss basierend auf den finanziellen Leistungskennzahlen von SAS festgelegt. SAS betreibt derzeit 138 Flugzeuge, bedient über 130 Ziele und erzielte 2024 einen Umsatz von 4,1 Milliarden Euro.
Die Integration zielt darauf ab, das Synergiepotenzial in allen Geschäftsbereichen, einschließlich der Treueprogramme, voll auszuschöpfen, wobei Air France-KLM die Mehrheitskontrolle im Vorstand erhält. Die Transaktion steht unter dem Vorbehalt behördlicher Genehmigungen und weiterer Bedingungen.
- Strategic expansion into Scandinavian market through majority control of SAS
- Potential synergies across all business areas including loyalty programs
- SAS shows improved financial and operational performance
- Access to SAS's network of 130+ destinations and 8+ million Eurobonus members
- Builds on successful existing commercial cooperation since 2024
- Transaction value not yet determined, creating uncertainty for shareholders
- Regulatory clearances required which could delay or prevent completion
- Integration costs and challenges likely in combining operations
- Closing timeline extends to second half of 2026
Paris, 4 July 2025
Air France-KLM initiates proceedings to take a majority stake in SAS
- Air France-KLM intends to increase its stake in SAS’s share capital, from
19.9% currently to60.5% , via a full acquisition of the stakes held by Castlelake and Lind Invest. - This contemplated transaction reflects the successful turnaround of SAS and the positive results generated by the commercial cooperation initiated in 2024. It would allow Air France-KLM and SAS to fully unlock their synergy potential, confirm the Group’s expansion in the Scandinavian market, and create additional potential for value delivery to shareholders.
- Subject to the obtaining of all the necessary regulatory clearances and satisfaction of all conditions precedents, the ambition is to close in the second half of 2026.
Air France-KLM today announced that it will initiate proceedings to take a majority stake in SAS. The Group currently holds a
Provided all the necessary conditions are met, Air France-KLM would fully acquire the stakes held by Castlelake and Lind Invest, bringing its own stake to
The value of Air France-KLM’s contemplated investment in SAS would be determined at closing, based on SAS’s latest financial performance � including EBITDA and Net Debt. This transaction would be in line with the Group’s medium-term financial outlook.
Subject to the obtaining of all the necessary regulatory clearances and satisfaction of all conditions precedents, the ambition is to close in the second half of 2026.
The acquisition of this majority stake would give Air France-KLM control of SAS, which would become a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group. This new step would allow Air France-KLM and SAS to fully unlock their synergy potential via a comprehensive integration in all areas of business, including loyalty, and would extend beyond commercial activities. The Group would hold the majority of seats on the airline’s Board of Directors.
Air France-KLM’s interest in pursuing this transaction is driven by the significant improvement of SAS’s financial and operational performance, the success of the current commercial cooperation, as well as the Group’s confidence in the Scandinavian carrier’s long-term potential.
“We are excited by the prospect of fully welcoming SAS into the Air France-KLM family�, said Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM. “Following their successful restructuring, SAS has delivered impressive performance, and we are confident that the airline’s potential will continue to grow through deeper integration within the Air France-KLM Group. This operation would benefit our customers and all Scandinavians who would enjoy enhanced connectivity, as well as the SAS teams whose dedication has been key to restore their airline to its rightful place. They would join a group of airlines united by a shared commitment to excellence and a more sustainable future for air transport. We look forward to this new chapter in our shared journey.�
Investor Relations
Michiel KlinkersMarouane Mami
[email protected][email protected]
Website :
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The presentation is available at , in the section “other publications� on July 4, 2025, from 7:00 am CET.
A conference call hosted by Mr. Smith (CEO) and Mr. Zaat (CFO) will be held on July 4, 2025, at 09.00 am CET.
To connect to the webcast, please use below link:
Appendix - key facts about SAS, June 2025:
Aircraft in service | 138 |
Destinations served | >130 |
Passengers carried | >25 Mn (2024) |
Cargo carried | 60,000 tons (2024) |
Eurobonus members | >8 Mn |
Employees | 10,500 |
Revenue | |
Current shareholding structure | Castlelake ( Danish State ( Air France-KLM ( Lind Invest ( Others (13, |
Alliance | Skyteam (since September 2024) |
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