Restructuring of its intra-European services has seen SAS replace 21 MD-80s with Bombardier and Boeing aircraft over the last year. Some were returned to lessors while Allegiant, which had bought 13 SAS MD80s in a previous deal, remains an enthusiastic customer for the type.

SAS retains 24 MD-80s in a total fleet of 191 aircraft, but has brought in CRJ900s, primarily to serve European business destinations at optimum frequency, and has also added two B737-700s and two -800s for leisure destinations and on denser routes.

A number of routes to leisure destinations, for example in the Mediterranean, have been suspended as SAS seeks to balance its books. But it is launching four new routes from this year, to Vilnius from next week, to Lyon from April and to two Scandinavian destinations for the summer season only.

“It is time for SAS to expand again. During 2009 we cut capacity to adjust our offerings to the lower demand in the market, but now we are pleased to once again open up new routes,” said chief commercial officer Lars Sandahl Sørensen.

Frequencies from Copenhagen to Brussels and Bologna are meanwhile being increased. A spokesman said SAS’s longhaul routes to Beijing, Bangkok, Tokyo, Chicago, New York and Washington remained the key services for cargo customers.

Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Company provides air travel and vacation packages to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Orlando, Fla. Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla. and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. through its subsidiary, Allegiant Air.