The national flag carrier of Denmark, Norway and Sweden has claimed that more than 170,000 people have so far had their travel plans interrupted since the strike action began. The dispute has reached this stage following the collapse of negotiations between the company and the SAS Pilot Group, representing more than 95% of SAS flight deck crew. The strike is mainly about pay rates, collective bargaining and pilots working hours, which they want to be more in line with their counterparts in the rest of Europe.
There is currently little sign that talks between the two parties might resume as the sides become further entrenched, yet the pilots are getting support from others for their open-ended strike action. The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations represents more than 100,000 pilots in nearly 100 countries around the globe has stated it, "believes that neither SAS pilots, nor any other pilot group, should accept deteriorating working conditions, unpredictable hours, and a lack of job security. IFALPA urges SAS Management to consider the gravity of the situation and reconsider their stance, not only for the sake of their workers but for that of the travelling public."