TORONTO — It’s been a long time coming but passengers will no doubt say it was worth the wait, now that SAS has returned to the Toronto market after some 30 years.

The Scandinavian carrier relaunched flights from Toronto earlier this month, offering nonstop Stockholm service as well as nonstop flights to Copenhagen.

The relaunch was heralded with a celebration at Pearson’s Terminal 1 on June 2 to mark the start of the Toronto – Stockholm flights. SAS Airlines’ President and CEO Anko van der Werff was in attendance, and so was a familiar face for hockey fans: former Leafs captain and Sweden native Mats Sundin.

Recently we caught up with van der Werff to get his take on the new Toronto flights, SAS’s message for travel agents and more.

Travelweek: SAS’ new service from Toronto to Stockholm and Copenhagen is great news. Is this a return to the Canadian market for SAS, and if so when was SAS last flying out of Canada, and what prompted the return?

Van der Werff: “Yes, this is a return to the Canadian market after about 30 years. With the introduction of 157-seat efficient A321LR aircraft, SAS is able to explore new, thinner markets on the North Atlantic.

“Toronto and Canada have been on our short list for a while, and we’re expecting to boost passenger volumes with new nonstop services.”

SAS Economy Class seats on an A321LR

Travelweek: Are these routes currently underserved, in SAS’s estimation, and how are forward bookings shaping up for 2022?

Van der Werff: “Up until now, there has not been any nonstop service between Toronto and Stockholm, so that market is clearly underserved. We also believe Toronto to Copenhagen can absorb more capacity as SAS has its main hub for European traffic there.

“Booking levels for the next couple of months are looking very promising. Our new routes will strengthen our North America network and make it easier and more convenient for travellers to travel between Canada and Scandinavia, with good connectivity both behind Toronto and beyond Scandinavia.

“Bookings are picking up, with especially high demand for the summer period but also the steady increase of returned corporate demand.”

Business Class seating onboard an A321LR with SAS

Travelweek: What sort of connections can Canadian travellers make once arriving in Copenhagen or Stockholm?

Van der Werff: “Travelling through both Copenhagen and Stockholm enables a wide range of connections to other cities in the Nordics as well as Europe. SAS flies to about 100 destinations in the Nordics and Europe this summer.”

SAS Airlines President and CEO Anko van der Werff with Toronto Maple Leafs legend Mats Sundin, June 2, 2022

Travelweek: Is SAS actively pursuing routes from other Canadian gateways and if so, which ones?

Van der Werff: “Pre-pandemic, there was rising demand for travel between Scandinavia and Montreal, so that is a market that we anticipate will recover and may offer potential for further expansion in Canada.”

Travelweek: How does the A321LR aircraft on these Canadian routes enhance SAS’s sustainability proposition?

Van der Werff: “The addition of the A321LR aircraft is an important part of the renewal of SAS’ fleet. SAS has one of Europe’s most modern fleets and the new aircraft have 15–30% lower fuel consumption, compared with the aircraft they replace.”

Travelweek: What’s your message for Canadian travel agents right now, and is there a trade site or agent portal for more info?

Van der Werff: “We are looking forward to meeting with and continuing our partnerships and collaborations between SAS and the valued travel agent community in Canada. For more information about our products and services, we have a service for travel agencies called SAS Sales Information.”