Editing SAS Group (section)

== History ==
The airline was founded on 1 August 1946 when [[Det Danske Luftfartsselskab|Det Danske Luftfartselskab A/S]], [[Aerotransport|AB Aerotransport]], and [[Det Norske Luftfartsselskap|Det Norske Luftfartselskap AS]] (the flag carriers of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway) formed a [[business alliance|partnership]] to handle intercontinental traffic to [[Scandinavia]]. Operations started on 17 September 1946. The companies then started coordination of [[Europe]]an operations in 1948 and finally merged to form the current SAS Consortium in 1951. When established the airline was divided between SAS Danmark (28.6%), SAS Norge (28.6%), and SAS Sweden (42.8%), all owned 50% by private investors and 50% by their respective governments. SAS gradually acquired control of the domestic markets in all three countries by acquiring full or partial control of several local airlines. In May 1997 SAS formed the global [[Star Alliance]] network with [[Air Canada]], [[Lufthansa]], [[Thai Airways International]], and [[United Airlines]].

[[Image:Sashoteloslo quevaal.jpg|thumb|right|Radisson hotel in Oslo no longer managed by SAS as of 2009. (This picture was taken in May 2005.)]]