SAS: A New Chapter for Scandinavian Airlines

The Executive Director of the Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce, Anna Olsson-Moore, and President Peter Björk, along with representatives from the Norwegian and Danish Chambers of Commerce, had the privilege of meeting Paul Verhagen, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS).  

Since joining the SAS Executive Leadership Team on August 14, 2023, Verhagen has overseen significant developments in SAS’s operations. During his recent visit to Bangkok, he provided key updates on SAS’s renewed routes to Thailand and shared the airline’s ambitious plans for further expansion in the region. This insightful discussion, hosted in collaboration with other Nordic Chambers at the Pacific Club, also underscored SAS’s intention to add more destinations as part of its strategy to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia. 

After a 10-year hiatus, SAS made a significant return to the Thai market in 2023, capitalizing on the strong resurgence in global tourism. A major milestone in this comeback was the launch of the airline’s inaugural direct flight from Copenhagen to Bangkok, marking a fresh chapter for SAS in the region. This new route is part of the airline’s strategy to tap into the growing Scandinavian market, which had seen a decline in travel to Thailand prior to the pandemic due to economic challenges. 

With Thailand’s tourism industry bouncing back, SAS’s return to the Thai market comes at an ideal moment, and the airline is focused on reinforcing its connections with the Scandinavian region. The 2023 launch of the Copenhagen-Bangkok route signals SAS’s commitment to enhancing its network and catering to the rising demand for travel to Thailand.