• Sweden edition
Business & Money

SAS sells 49 percent stake in Estonian Air

Published: 4 Jun 10 17:10 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/27048/20100604/

SAS has reached an agreement with the Estonian government to sell its 49 percent stake in Estonian Air.

"Since 2003, SAS has held a 49 percent interest in the airline. According to the Core SAS strategy with focus on the Nordic home market, this stake has been set out for divestment," said Sture Stølen, vice president and head of SAS Group investor relations, in a statement.

The agreement with the Estonian government involves SAS divesting its stake. The Estonian government will provide about 205 million kronor ($25.89 million) of new capital in a new rights issue. In return, SAS will convert about 20 million kronor it currently holds in loans into equity.

After the rights issue, the Estonian government will hold 90 percent of Estonian Air, with SAS holding the balance. SAS will also remain the lender of about 70 million kronor in loans with a maturity in 2014.

The transaction is neutral to the profit and liquidity of the SAS Group. Estonian Air has an option to buy out SAS' remaining stake and SAS has the option to sell its stake at fair market value in four years.

SAS will continue its commercial cooperation with Estonian Air, Estonia's national carrier. The airline was founded in 1991 and is also partially owned by investment bank Cresco.

The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

00:18 June 5, 2010 by aaww
cash is king
00:27 June 5, 2010 by Beavis
Estonian should try to get away from the incompetent SAS completely and run it properly themselves. Currently fares to Talinn are way overpriced from pretty much anywhere.
08:56 June 5, 2010 by Marc the Texan
The great thing about flying coach on SAS is that you get the exact same level of service as the first class passengers. I love the egalitarian ideal they strive for. Note to SAS fliers: Don't waste your money on a first/business class ticket.
23:05 June 6, 2010 by old git
Which SAS are you talking about Texan? Or are you being facetious?
01:43 June 7, 2010 by saucymugwump
Texan wrote: "Don't waste your money on a first/business class ticket"

As is often the case, Texans display their amazing ignorance of the world wrapped in arrogance.

There are three classes of service over the Atlantic Ocean with the following seat pitch:

- business: 79"

- economy extra: 38"

- economy: 32

SAS does not offer first class. Business class gets you a much better meal and unlimited alcohol (within reason).

For domestic (European) service, Texan almost has a point. There is no difference in seat pitch, but since the front of the plane is rarely sold-out, one can often stretch one's legs at an angle.

I think SAS is one of the better European airlines.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Business & Money headlines
Solna voted best place to live in Sweden

Solna voted best place to live in Sweden

Solna, a suburb just north of Stockholm, is the best place to live in Sweden, according to a new ranking published on Friday by Swedish news magazine Fokus. READ () »

Ikea founder rated fifth richest in the world

Ikea founder rated fifth richest in the world

Ingrad Kamprad, the founder of Swedish furniture giant Ikea, finished fifth on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index published on Friday, with an estimated fortune of $55.6 billion. READ () »

LinkedIn profile lands Swede with hefty tax bill

LinkedIn profile lands Swede with hefty tax bill

A Swedish man is facing a five-million kronor ($750,000) add-on to his tax bill after the authorities took a proper look at his account on the professional networking site LinkedIn. READ () »

India in no rush to open first Ikea store

India in no rush to open first Ikea store

The first Ikea store to open in India may not be ready for years, with the India head of the Swedish furniture giant prepared to wait until the the perfect location is found for the first of the 25 planned stores. READ () »

H&M CEO to Bangladesh: raise minimum wages

H&M CEO to Bangladesh: raise minimum wages

H&M CEO Karl-Johan Persson has urged Bangladesh to raise its minimum wage, adding the Swedish fashion giant is "willing to pay more" in the wake of a garment industry disaster which killed more than 1,100 people. READ () »

Pensioners to recruit ageing Swedish rockers

Pensioners to recruit ageing Swedish rockers

The Swedish Pensioners Association wants to cast off its "stuffy" image at the Sweden Rock festival, in a recruitment bid to set up a rock music subgroup of new members. READ () »

Sweden plummets in income equality ranking

Sweden plummets in income equality ranking

The living conditions of most Swedes have improved in recent decades, but income inequality is growing rapidly, according to a new OECD report, which saw Sweden drop 14 spots from its first place ranking in 1995. READ () »

Swedish shop hits back: our Converse are real

Swedish shop hits back: our Converse are real

Swedish retailer Coop has refuted complaints by US sneaker brand Converse that Coop stores are selling unauthorized pirated copies of the iconic footwear. READ () »

Sweden housing crunch
Young Swedes forced to live with mum and dad

Young Swedes forced to live with mum and dad

More than half of Swedes in their twenties are stuck living at home with their parents in major metropolitan areas, with observers blaming politicians for abdicating any responsibility for dealing with lack of housing. READ () »

Converse in bid to ban 'fake' shoes in Sweden

Converse in bid to ban 'fake' shoes in Sweden

Legendary US sneaker brand Converse has asked a Swedish court for permission to search outlets of Swedish retail chain Coop in a bid to clear near-perfect pirated copies of the iconic shoes off the shelves. READ () »

More Business & Money

Find a new job in Sweden now
18/05 LCI Coordinator
Aker Advantage
Bærum/Tranby
18/05 Tender Lead Subsea 7656
Aker Advantage
Ågotnes
17/05 Account Executive - Sweden- Sofware Sales
Stockholm
17/05 Authorization Engineer
Västerås
17/05 Backend infrastructure Team Lead
Stockholm
17/05 Baxter Home Hemodialysis ? HHD Field Service Engineer
Baxter Medical AB
Östergötland
17/05 Boutique Manager / Store Manager
Copenhagen
17/05 Business Consultant
Tieto Sweden AB
Stockholm, STHM
17/05 Business Partner Sales to AkzoNobel
Experis Finance
SKÅ
17/05 BUSINESS SOL ARCHITECT
Kista

ALL JOBS »


 
Latest Business & Money news from Germany
Holiday Luxury Villa in Portugal
Casa Birgitta in Algarve, Portugal. Reduced price in best location. Private estate on white sand beach. All amenities included. Book here today! edward_george1@hotmail.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Trade binary options
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Therapy in English
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE