The failure of SAS to expand cargo in Scandinavia in a pandemic

The numbers SAS released in December 2020 reveal only 3/5 cargo income in 2020 compared to 2019. That is 700 million lost and probably a lot more since the potential has shot up. 

This is leading one to believe SAS could have done a lot more and that the company haven't taken advantage of what ever they could make money on in the pandemic market. Using the assets they are locked into and are paying for. And this failure of flexibility is ultimately the fault of the CEO Gustafson. 

Lack of aggressive local suppliers could be the reason Middle Eastern carriers now is moving into the Scandinavian Cargo market. And once they are in they could be difficult to dislocate.

Remember exporters are not as sentimental with what airline they pick as local politicians with their travel expenses refunded by the taxpayer, ref some mayors boycott of Wizz. 


One can also see from the numbers how having the actual flying of ones regional network outsourced lead to lack of flexibility in time of crisis. In a period where many of their own planes have been sitting idle (instead of hauling freight) and their crew temporarily laid off, the company have spent hundreds of millions on wet leasing acircraft w/crew from other companies. Actually where they have been able to shave other internal expenses like crew, catering, handling or airport charges with more than 3/4, and own leasing costs with 9/10,  they have only managed to shave 1/2 of the wel lease costs.


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