SAS expects to sell the remainder of its grounded Bombardier Q400 turboprops within the next six months, but is still forecasting a full-year earnings impact of SKr700-800 million ($117-133 million) from their grounding. Seven of the 27 Q400s in SAS Group's fleet had been sold by the end of March and the company claims there is "widespread interest" in the remaining aircraft.
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It has had to introduce wet-leased capacity to shore up its operations following the Q400 withdrawal in October last year, and had replaced almost 100% of the Q400 capacity by the end of last year.
SAS Group has already opted to purchase six Boeing MD-87s and two 737-600s to replace the Q400s, and taken over delivery positions on three 737-800s for this year, as a part-interim, part-permanent solution to the capacity demand. Earlier this year SAS Group agreed a SKr1 billion compensation package with Bombardier under which SAS carriers will acquire 27 CRJ900 and Q400 regional aircraft.
Source: Flight International
