Both Ving and Apollo are looking around the world for alternative aircraft since the SAS pilots went on strike. But there are few planes that are empty.
Over the next few days, Apollo will have a total of 25,000 passengers in the Nordic region who may be affected by the strike. Half are travelers who do not know if they are leaving and half are people who may not come home from their destinations as intended.
– We are looking at all possibilities. Is it possible by bus? Is it possible by boat and bus? Is it possible to get to other airports? It is extremely difficult to get flight capacity and there are only a few hopes, thanks to our skilled flight manager. We do not leave anyone at the destination, says Apollo’s communications manager Sandra Miller Kinge.
But there is also a shortage of buses. It is also difficult to get hotel rooms for stranded travelers because so much is already fully booked.
Writes letters to the parties
She states that Apollo is in constant contact with SAS to be informed.
– To emphasize the seriousness of the situation, we have also sent a letter to the parties in the morning. We think that is enough now, they must take their responsibility. This can affect people’s health, it is very unfortunate that an internal conflict can have such enormous consequences, she says.
In the letter, which has been sent to SAS’s Group Management and the various pilot unions and which has been signed by Apollo’s CEO Leif Vase Larsen, the company writes that the conflict is about to have “fatal consequences”.
Apollo already has hundreds of guests stranded at its destinations. This weekend, the proportion risks increasing dramatically. According to Sandra Miller Kinge, many of the guests are families with children and the elderly.
– They are in the heat and do not have the same hotel solution, it is people whose medication can run out and who need to come home for both medication and doctor visits. There is a heat wave in many places. Airports are often small and lack enough seating. We are very concerned about the situation, she says.
Nor does the charter company Ving know how many of the passengers will be affected. The company has 1,800 passengers, most of whom are going on charters, booked on trips a week that are flown with SAS planes.
A ketchup effect
Ving is also now doing intensive work to find alternative home trips.
– I want to emphasize that we will never leave guests stranded at destinations, but we will make sure that they come home. However, it can take time, you can stay a few days extra, says communications manager Claes Pellvik.
This is not the first time that SAS pilots have gone on strike. But according to Claes Pellvik, this strike will take place at an extra vulnerable time.
– Previous SAS strikes have typically been in the spring or early summer, then it is a simpler situation. July is an unfortunate time. We are in the middle of the high season, it is the biggest travel month of the year, and it was very well booked before, he says.
Both Apollo and Ving pay hotels for those who do not return home and fully reimburse the travelers who have their trips canceled.
TT: Will you demand money from SAS for the cancellations?
– In this situation, the focus is on taking care of the guests and making sure that they are not out with money. How we solve our dealings with SAS is something we will take with them afterwards, says Claes Pellvik.