Scandinavian Airlines Ireland

Information pertaining directly to the safety record and certifications of SAS Connect (SZS) as a separate entity is limited. However, as a subsidiary of SAS Scandinavian Airlines, it operates within the framework of the parent company's safety standards and European regulations.

• Recent Safety Record and Notable Incidents: A notable concern emerged in 2018, when 26 pilots at SAS Ireland (the former name of SAS Connect) sent a letter to the SAS Group's corporate governance, criticizing working conditions and safety levels. Furthermore, the chief instructor at SAS Ireland resigned after reportedly being criticized for having safety standards that were too high. These incidents suggest internal concerns about safety culture and operational practices during its early years. While there are general safety incidents reported for SAS Scandinavian Airlines, such as a passenger battery catching fire during boarding in October 2025 or an electrical failure in August 2025, these are attributed to the parent company's broader operations rather than specifically SAS Connect.

• Regulatory Certifications: There is no specific mention of SAS Connect holding its own IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certification. However, the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) program is an internationally recognized standard for evaluating airline operational management and control systems, and all IATA members must be IOSA registered. SAS Scandinavian Airlines, as the parent company, is working with Airbus Protect to ensure full compliance with the new Part-IS European regulation by February 2026, which focuses on cybersecurity for digitized operations and connected fleets. This indicates adherence to contemporary European safety regulations. SAS Connect is not found on the EU Air Safety List, which bans carriers that do not meet international safety standards from operating in the European Union.

• Fleet Age and Maintenance Reputation: SAS Connect's fleet comprises Airbus A320neo aircraft, which are modern aircraft types. There is no specific information available regarding the average fleet age or maintenance reputation exclusively for SAS Connect. However, SAS (the parent company) prioritizes safety and security, especially with its digitized operations and connected fleet, and has engaged Airbus Protect for cybersecurity consulting services.

• Overall Safety Assessment: Based on available data, SAS Connect, as a subsidiary of SAS, operates under European regulatory oversight. While there were significant internal concerns raised by pilots regarding working conditions and safety levels during its initial years as SAS Ireland, no specific major accidents or incidents directly attributable to SAS Connect have been widely reported in the search results. The use of modern Airbus A320neo aircraft and the parent company's efforts towards EASA Part-IS compliance suggest a commitment to modern operational safety standards.

• Safety Awards or Recognitions: No specific safety awards or recognitions for SAS Connect were found in the provided information.