Podcast: KLM Cityhopper, SAS Execs See Uncertain Winter Ahead | Aviation Week

SAS and KLM Cityhopper are charting different routes for European regional flying, but both are making major bets on the Embraer E195-E2. During Aviation Week’s Window Seat podcast at the European Regions Airline Association General Assembly in Belfast, KLM Cityhopper managing director Maarten Koopmans and SAS VP for airline operations and external production Mikael Wångdahl discussed how the regional market is shifting amid cost and regulatory pressure. They also pointed to a looming issue: aging fleets, especially smaller aircraft on thinner routes, with limited replacement options. The talks further touched on in-house versus outsourced capacity and possible knock-on effects from Air France-KLM increasing its stake in SAS.