The Race for SAS's Top Seat: Who Will Replace Anko van der Werff?

The departure of Anko van der Werff to Air Canada has opened the CEO position at SAS just as the airline undergoes a major ownership shift. Air France-KLM is set to increase its stake from 19.9% to 60.5%, pending regulatory approval, while the Danish government retains a 26% holding. This means the board selecting the next CEO will likely be influenced by Paris, raising questions about SAS's future independence. Potential candidates include insiders familiar with Air France-KLM's operations versus local Scandinavian leaders. The decision will signal whether SAS maintains its distinct identity or integrates more closely with the French-Dutch group.