On March 29, 2015, with the opening of aviation summer season, Scandinavian Airlines SAS returns to Latvian market with the direct route between Riga and Stockholm and offers up to 18 weekly flights between the two cities: three daily flights on weekdays and up to two departures a day on weekends.
The first SAS airplane took off from Riga International airport to Stockholm Arlanda airport on March 29, Sunday. Passengers of the first SAS flight were greeted with special treats: they received small presents and cards, also were offered special cake made for the occasion.
“Launching direct route between Riga and Stockholm marks the return of SAS to Latvian market: the first SAS flight took off from Riga airport back in 1990, while in 2008 Airline Company terminated direct flight services due to unfavourable economic situation. Since then business development between Sweden and Latvia has demonstrated positive shift and led to the growth in business travel needs between the two capitals. As a result, SAS made the strategic decision to respond to customer needs by re-launching direct flight services between Riga and Stockholm as of this summer season”, points out Rūta Jucienė, SAS Country Manager Baltic States.
According to R. Jucienė, customer interest in the SAS route between Stockholm and Riga became noticeable even before the first flight took off and is expected to grow further, as daily flights to Stockholm Arlanda Airport will provide SAS passengers with convenient connections to numerous destinations not only in Europe but also in the US and Asia.
„Return of the Scandinavian airline SAS back to Riga International airport will provide greater travel opportunities for passengers from Riga airport and in the meantime will offer a wider selection of the available airlines,” says SJSC “RIGA” International Airport Chairman of the board Andris Liepiņš.
SAS passengers will be offered SAS Go and SAS Plus services. SAS Go passengers will be allowed to take one piece of checked bag weighing 23 kg per person at no charge, they will be served coffee or tea on-board and will be able to check-in and select their seat free-of-charge. SAS Plus passengers will receive additional services on top of this: they will be allowed to check-in two bags per person at no cost, receive meals and drinks on-board, and will be offered Fast Track and lounge services not only in Riga but also at all Scandinavian airports.
Passengers in Latvia will be cordially invited to join SAS loyalty program EuroBonus, currently having over three million members. The program involves over 80 partners, while the most popular way to redeem points among SAS passengers is for the flights, hotel stays or upgrading of services. To make it even more attractive, SAS Plus passengers will receive twice as many EuroBonus points for each flight if compared to SAS Go customers.
About SAS:
Founded in 1946, Scandinavian Airlines is one of the oldest and biggest airline companies in European civil aviation industry. Being a member of Star Alliance, together with 27 partners, SAS offers 1300 destinations worldwide in 193 countries.
To find out more about SAS and for photos, please visit http://www.sasgroup.net