Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is reintroducing a dedicated Business Class product on its European routes, a move that reflects its evolving strategy following last year’s high-profile switch from the Star Alliance to SkyTeam. The new European Business Class will debut on October 1, 2025, and will be available for booking from May 6 on international flights within Europe, including those between Scandinavian countries. It marks a significant shift for the airline, which has for many years relied on two economy-focused classes in Europe: SAS Go and SAS Plus. While SAS Plus provided some extra service and flexibility, it lacked many of the defining characteristics of a premium offer and never fully convinced business travelers expecting the kind of experience found on other network carriers. The launch is the latest in a string of moves by SAS as it adapts to life in SkyTeam, following its exit from Star Alliance in September 2024. The alliance switch was part of a larger financial and operational restructuring, backed in part by new investors including Air France-KLM.<br/>
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China Southern Airlines (1055) once leapt as much as 3% during morning trade on Wednesday after the state-backed carrier was reported to be considering listing its cargo arm in Hong Kong. The spinoff of China Southern Air Logistics may aim to raise “at least several hundred million US dollars,” Bloomberg News reported. China Southern earlier announced plans to list its cargo arm in the Shanghai Stock Exchange but later in February said it would withdraw the application given the changes to market. Shares of China Southern Airlines in Hong Kong once hit as high as HK$3.38 during early trade, but its gains were later narrowed to HK$3.29 – a rise of 0.3%.<br/>
Korean Air became the world's first airline that will partner with US-based security firm Axon to conduct specialized training for air taser instructors, which will enhance the airline's in-flight safety response capabilities. The airline announced on Thursday that it completed a three-day training program that began Monday at its cabin crew training center in Gangseo District, Seoul. The program was led by Axon, the world's leading manufacturer of taser devices and the company that first commercialized the technology. The intensive training included scenario-based exercises tailored to in-flight situations, response strategies, shooting techniques, close-quarter engagement methods, simulation drills adapted to cabin environments, shooting evaluations, comprehensive assessments, and virtual reality (VR)-based tactical training. The session is also the first joint aviation security training involving cabin safety instructors from Asiana Airlines and Jin Air ahead of their planned integration. Ten cabin safety instructors who participated in the program will now disseminate the training by instructing their respective flight attendants on the proper use of tasers and other strategies to handle unlawful in-flight behavior during annual safety drills. <br/>