SAS’s inaugural Copenhagen-Mumbai service turned back to Copenhagen after final regulatory approval had not been delivered in time, delaying the launch of the new long-haul route. The airline said the flight had been fully prepared operationally and regulatorily, but could not continue to Mumbai without the outstanding clearance.
The scheduled SK969 flight departed Copenhagen about four hours late and returned while over Azerbaijan. SAS had planned to start the year-round route on 2 June 2026, using an Airbus A330-300 on five weekly frequencies. The service marks SAS’s return to India after 17 years and was set to link Copenhagen with Mumbai as part of the carrier’s wider intercontinental network strategy.
SAS has said it is working to secure the missing authorization and expects the service to begin in the next few days once formal approval is received.