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Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is set to resume regular services between India and Scandinavia with five weekly non-stop flights connecting Mumbai and Copenhagen. The service, scheduled to begin in October, will be operated using a 226-seat Airbus A330 and will restore the airline’s direct presence in India after its earlier withdrawal from the market. SAS had initially planned to restart the route earlier this year, but its inaugural flight was forced to return to Copenhagen because the required final regulatory approval had not been secured. The renewed service is expected to improve direct connectivity for business and leisure travellers.
Scandinavian Airlines has announced that it will resume its India operations with five non-stop flights a week between Mumbai and Copenhagen from October 1. The service will be operated using a 226-seater Airbus A330 and will connect Mumbai, one of India’s major financial centres, directly with the Danish capital.
The airline had initially planned to restart the Copenhagen-Mumbai service earlier this year after a 17-year absence from the Indian market. However, the inaugural flight encountered a regulatory hurdle and was forced to return to Copenhagen while en route to Mumbai.
Flight SK969 had departed Copenhagen for Mumbai and turned back after flying for around four hours, while the aircraft was over Azerbaijan. SAS said the final regulatory approval required for the operation had not been issued as expected. The airline had stated that its operational and regulatory preparations had been completed, but the remaining formal approval was still pending.
The incident led SAS to suspend its India operations temporarily while it worked to secure the required approvals. Reports at the time said the issue was linked to documentation and authorisation for the service.
The revised launch will now bring the Mumbai-Copenhagen connection back into SAS' network. The airline had first announced the route as a year-round service, with five weekly flights using an Airbus A330. Its earlier plans described the route as part of an expansion of its intercontinental network and a way to strengthen links between India, Scandinavia, Europe and North America.
The Copenhagen connection will also provide access to SAS' wider network from its main hub. The airline has highlighted onward connections to destinations including New York, Boston and Toronto, along with several European cities. This gives passengers travelling from Mumbai an additional direct link to Scandinavia and connecting options beyond Denmark.
SAS had withdrawn from India during the global financial crisis, ending its earlier services in the country. The airline’s return comes after more than a decade and a half away from the Indian market. Its earlier India network included services to Delhi, while the carrier has also historically operated in other Indian markets.
The airline said the Mumbai route reflects the growing importance of India to its international network and is aimed at supporting travel between Northern Europe and India. The service is expected to cater to both business and leisure traffic, with Mumbai’s role as a major financial and commercial centre making it an important destination for the carrier.
InterGlobe Air Transport will continue as SAS' exclusive General Sales Agent in India. The company has represented the airline in the country since 1990 and handles activities such as sales, marketing and ticketing for the carrier in the Indian market.
JB Singh, Director of InterGlobe Air Transport, said the return of SAS to India reflects the long-standing relationship between the two companies and the potential of the India-Scandinavia market. He added that the Mumbai-Copenhagen service would support direct connectivity while contributing to business, trade and cultural links between the two regions.
For SAS, the route also strengthens Copenhagen Airport’s position as an international connecting hub. The airline operates a wider network from Copenhagen, allowing passengers from Mumbai to connect to destinations across Europe and North America.
The planned service comes as SAS continues to expand its long-haul network following a period of restructuring. The airline joined the SkyTeam alliance in 2024, giving passengers access to a broader global network through its alliance partners.
The October relaunch will therefore be closely watched after the earlier operational setback. With the required regulatory process now being addressed, the airline is preparing to establish the Mumbai-Copenhagen route as a regular five-times-a-week service.
Source PTI
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