SAS Scandinavian Airlines (SK, Copenhagen Kastrup) is to complete the phased retirement of its fleet of nine MD-82s on October 26 to pave way for younger, more fuel efficient Airbus A320s. Amongst the festivities planned to mark the retirement of the type are a charter flight around the three Scandinavian capitals in the classic aircraft, a scheduled flight and an official send off ceremony set for Copenhagen Kastrup. According to the organizers, the charter flight will pass through the Arctic Circle in northern Norway, with a low fly past of the city of Bodø. A second event is set to take place on the day of the last MD-82's flight on October 26 and will involve a scheduled flight, SK403, operating from Stockholm Arlanda to Copenhagen Kastrup. Finally, a short farewell ceremony to wave the last MD82s off will be held at SAS' Scandinavian Lounge at Copenhagen. SAS has a long relationship with the MD-8X and its predecessor, the DC-9, which began with the delivery of its first DC-9-20 in 1968.