SAS returns Dash8/Q400 to traffic

SAS returns Dash8/Q400 to traffic

Following an extensive inspection program and parts replacement, SAS is now
returning Dash8/Q400 aircraft to traffic. Flights will begin on Thursday and
more aircraft will successively return to traffic after testing and parts
replacement have been completed.

SAS chose to ground the entire Q400 fleet following two accidents, in Aalborg on
September 9 and Vilnius on September 12, to replace parts identified as the
cause of the accidents. This involved an actuator in the main landing gear that
was affected by corrosion.

At an early stage, SAS decided to replace all actuators, whether they showed
signs of corrosion or not. Accordingly, SAS took actions that went a step
further than those required by the civil aviation authorities and the aircraft
manufacturer.

SAS has conducted extensive inspections of the main landing gear and the nose
gear, and undertook much more comprehensive inspections than those required by
the civil aviation authorities and the aircraft manufacturer. Thereafter, the
aircraft that are now being returned to traffic have undergone extensive test
flights and have received the necessary airworthiness certificates from the
authorities.

Eight of Scandinavian Airline's Q400s are now ready to return to traffic - five
in Denmark and three in Sweden. Test flights of the remaining aircraft in the
fleet are continuing and they will be returned to traffic successively. In
Denmark, the first flight will be to Hamburg on Thursday and in Sweden the first
flight will be to Örnsköldsvik. In Denmark, there will be a total of seven
flights with the Q400 on Thursday and in Sweden four flights. SAS expects that
it will be able to offer its full traffic program not later than October 15.
Wideroe plans to put three of its four Q400 aircraft in traffic on Thursday and
the fourth on Sunday.

SAS will initiate discussions with Bombardier regarding compensation for the
costs and lost income incurred due to the aircraft being grounded for about
three weeks.



SAS Group Corporate Communications