This transfer corresponds to approximately 850 full-time positions and the takeover of existing agreements for equipment and premises, as well as handling contracts. The transaction is being conducted as an operations transfer, meaning that the transaction in itself will have no significant impact on SAS' earnings. Following the transfer, SAS will purchase ground services from Wideroe Ground Handling as an external service and the parties have entered into a five-year contract for these services.
The transfer of operations is in line with SAS' strategy that sees it focussing more on flight operations; concurrently, it is looking at reducing its fixed costs. Wideroe already has ground operations at a further 28 airports in Norway that support the carrier's regional routes.
Through this transfer, Wideroe will also take over the external contracts that SAS has at a number of line stations in Norway.
