SAS to stop tax-free sales, cutting weight for more sustainable flying

Every step on the way to sustainable travel is important. From this autumn, tax-free sales will, therefore, cease on SAS flights. This will reduce the overall weight of our aircraft, which in turn will save fuel and cut emissions.

SAS’s efforts to improve the sustainability of its operations are split into two areas and involve a series of initiatives in each area: improved fuel efficiency, alternative fuels and innovation, sustainable products and services. As part of these efforts, a number of changes will be introduced onboard SAS flights over the coming months in order to reduce the weight of our aircraft.

Tax-free sales have long been a popular service onboard our flights amongst passengers who have used it, but our passengers’ buying behaviour has changed and sustainability has become more important than ever before – for both our passengers and SAS. Withdrawing tax-free sales will reduce the overall weight of the aircraft, which in turn will reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Instead, SAS will develop solutions to offer passengers more modern ways of buying and receiving goods in connection with their journey.

“SAS is aiming to cut emissions by at least 25 percent by 2030. Every step on the way to sustainable travel is important. Every initiative to reduce weight and thereby cut fuel consumption helps,” says Karl Sandlund of EVP Commercial.

FACTBOX

Some of the sustainability initiatives currently being carried out by SAS:

• New, fuel-efficient aircraft with reduced emissions
• Weight reductions to existing aircraft to reduce fuel consumption
• Major initiative to improve access to high-quality biofuel
• Unique partnership with Airbus to develop electric and hybrid aircraft

June 4, 2019 10:00