SAS Scandinavian Airlines (SK, Copenhagen Kastrup) has officially outlined its plans to pursue non-Scandinavian bases and an additional European Air Operator's Certificate (AOC).

The carrier said in a statement issued February 1 that it will acquire a new AOC in Ireland while establishing bases in London and Spain. It expects the new operations to be up and running from winter 2017/18, providing a smaller number of departures as a complement to its existing production.

"The air travel market in Europe is experiencing intense price pressure and rising demand for leisure travel," it said. "To secure the company’s long-term competitiveness and to take an active role in the growing leisure market, SAS is now taking a further step to reduce the cost differential to newly established competitors."

The ch-aviation route database shows SAS's London operations currently centre on London Heathrow while its Spanish operations focus primarily on the leisure destinations of Alicante, Barcelona El Prat, Ibiza, Gran Canaria, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca.