Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has long stood as one of Northern Europe’s most recognisable carriers, connecting the three Nordic capitals, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Oslo, with destinations across Europe, North America, and Asia.
It operates as a full-service airline but with a strong focus on cost discipline and efficiency, a necessity in a region where both leisure and corporate travel fluctuate seasonally. The company employs over 10,000 staff and manages a fleet of more than 130 aircraft.
As SAS continues its efforts to strengthen profitability and streamline its operations, leadership remains crucial. The chief executive carries the responsibility of guiding not only one airline but a symbol of Scandinavian identity, balancing government stakeholders, private investors, and a diverse customer base.
Naturally, the pay package for such a role mirrors the scale and demands of the position. Here is a detailed look at who SAS CEO Anko van der Werff is, along with his compensation structure and a comparison with his Nordic counterparts.
Who is Scandinavian Airlines CEO Anko van der Werff?
Anko van der Werff, a Dutch national born in 1975, is a seasoned aviation executive with over two decades of experience in the global airline industry.
Before taking charge at SAS in 2021, he served as President and CEO of Avianca, Colombia’s flagship carrier, where he played a key role in financial restructuring and operational reform.
Before that, he held senior leadership positions at Aeromexico and Qatar Airways, gaining wide exposure to international aviation markets.
Van der Werff began his career in the Netherlands with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, where he held multiple commercial and management roles. He earned his law degree from the University of Groningen and later completed executive programmes at renowned business schools.
Since joining SAS, van der Werff has been credited with steering the airline through a complex recovery phase, marked by cost challenges, capacity rebuilding, and renewed focus on customer experience.
Known for his measured communication style and pragmatic leadership, he combines strong financial insight with an understanding of the passenger business.
His steady approach has been instrumental in maintaining SAS’s brand value and reputation during uncertain times.
SAS CEO Anko van der Werff Salary and Compensation
Scandinavian Airlines’ chief executive compensation structure aims to balance financial reward with accountability and long-term performance. For the 2024 financial year, Anko van der Werff’s fixed annual salary stood at SEK 12,675,000 (approximately USD 1.2 million).
In addition to his base salary, SAS pension costs were SEK 4,715,000 (around USD 440,000).
There was no mention of variable or bonus payments for the year, which suggests that either the performance targets were not fully met or the bonus component was deferred due to the airline’s ongoing operational recovery.
This brings his total reported remuneration to roughly SEK 17,603,000 (USD 1.64 million), including benefits and pension.
It’s worth noting that SAS’s performance-related pay system is relatively conservative, focusing primarily on fixed compensation until profitability and stability are more firmly established.
Peer Comparison
When compared with other airline chiefs in Northern Europe, Anko van der Werff’s pay package sits in a moderate range.
At Finnair, CEO Topi Manner earned a total remuneration of around €1.35 million (approximately SEK 15.6 million or USD 1.46 million) in 2024, including both fixed pay and incentives.
Manner’s compensation was slightly higher than van der Werff’s, largely due to Finnair’s stronger profitability and its gradual return to stability post-pandemic.
Meanwhile, at Norwegian Air Shuttle, CEO Geir Karlsen earned a reported total pay of NOK 8.7 million (approximately SEK 8.2 million or USD 760,000) for the same period.
Norwegian’s package was lower than SAS’s, reflecting its narrower operational scope and lower revenue base, though still competitive within its segment.
Overall, van der Werff’s pay is broadly aligned with other Nordic airline leaders, neither at the top end of Europe’s executive scales nor among the lowest. His remuneration reflects SAS’s status as a major regional carrier with a cautious compensation philosophy rooted in fiscal prudence.
Factors Influencing SAS Executive Compensation
- Market competitiveness: The CEO’s pay must remain attractive enough to retain experienced talent in an increasingly globalised aviation market.
- Corporate performance: Earnings are tightly linked to operational results and cost-control success.
- Regulatory oversight: As a publicly traded company operating across multiple jurisdictions, SAS adheres to Scandinavian transparency standards in pay reporting.
- Group complexity: Managing cross-border operations across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden adds layers of complexity uncommon in single-nation carriers.
- Stakeholder confidence: The remuneration policy also aims to signal stability and prudence to investors, governments, and employees.
SAS’s Plans for 2025
Heading into 2025, SAS is focused on operational recovery, profitability, and a refreshed brand image. The airline plans to enhance connectivity across its main hubs in Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo, while rebalancing capacity between business and leisure markets.
Fleet renewal continues to be a key priority, with the introduction of more fuel-efficient aircraft from Airbus, aimed at cutting emissions and improving cost efficiency.
SAS also intends to deepen its sustainability efforts through increased use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and carbon-offset programmes.
Operational reliability and customer satisfaction will be central themes this year. The airline expects moderate passenger growth and aims to boost its punctuality performance—a long-standing focus area in Scandinavian markets.
At the organisational level, SAS is looking to attract new talent across key departments, particularly in digital operations and ground services, with an emphasis on innovation and service quality.
Bottom Line
Anko van der Werff’s salary at Scandinavian Airlines mirrors both the responsibility of leading a flagship Nordic carrier and the financial realities of an airline in transformation. His total remuneration of SEK 17.6 million (USD 1.64 million) for 2024 sits at a balanced midpoint compared with his regional peers, highlighting SAS’s conservative yet fair approach to executive pay.
His compensation reflects the duality of the modern aviation industry—rewarding leadership and experience, while remaining sensitive to business performance and market conditions. As SAS continues to expand and stabilise through 2025, van der Werff’s future bonuses and incentives will likely depend on how effectively the airline meets its financial and operational goals.
SAS CEO Salary FAQs
His fixed annual salary is approximately SEK 12.7 million (USD 1.2 million).
Including pension and benefits, his total compensation for 2024 was around SEK 17.6 million (USD 1.64 million).
His pay is similar to Finnair’s CEO and higher than Norwegian’s, reflecting SAS’s scale and operational complexity within the region.
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