Scandinavian Airlines to Launch Copenhagen-Mumbai Non-Stop Service on October 1

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has announced that it will commence non-stop flights between Copenhagen and Mumbai starting October 1, after securing all required regulatory approvals.

The launch follows a previous delay. The airline had initially planned to begin operations to India on June 2, marking a return to the route after a gap of seventeen years. However, the inaugural service faced operational hurdles when the aircraft operating the first flight to Mumbai was forced to return to Copenhagen eight hours into the journey. The turnaround occurred because the airline lacked the necessary Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approval to officially start the service at that time.

Paul Verhagen, Chief Commercial Officer at SAS, commented on the upcoming launch, stating that the airline is pleased to welcome passengers on board the new service. He noted that the route serves as a strategic connection between Scandinavia and Mumbai, which he described as a major economic hub.

Under the finalized schedule, SAS will operate the Copenhagen-Mumbai route five times a week. In addition to direct travel between the two cities, the service will provide passengers with onward travel connections to various destinations across Europe and North America.

"Regulatory compliance is the backbone of any international expansion strategy. This development highlights how critical it is for businesses—regardless of their scale or legacy—to secure all local operational approvals before launching services in a new market. For the business and entrepreneurial community, this situation serves as a clear reminder that meticulous planning and adherence to local regulatory frameworks are essential to avoid costly operational setbacks." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes