STOCKHOLM, Sweden, July 10, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- This autumn, the SAS Group's (Other OTC:SASDF) five airlines will switch to a newly developed de-icing fluid. Together with the manufacturer Kilfrost, SAS has succeeded in producing a deicing liquid that does not contain Triasol, a substance that takes considerable time to be broken down and that accumulates in the food chain.
Each year the SAS Group's airlines use some 4,500,000 liters of deicing fluid. This fluid is used to prevent accumulation of ice on the wings and is thus essential for safe flight operations. Most of the fluid is collected in conjunction with deicing and is reused after processing in a purification plant. However, small amounts remain on the aircraft and are spread out over the airport and the surrounding area.
"SAS is the first airline to develop a deicing fluid with significantly better environmental properties than previously. We hope that other airlines will follow our example and begin using deicing fluids without Triosol," says Niels Eirik Nertun, Environmental Director at SAS.
The requirement to eliminate Triasol originated with the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT). In other Scandinavian countries, Triasol is still an acceptable component in deicing fluids.
"We have elected to introduce the new deicing fluid on a broad scale and not to wait for new regulations in Denmark and Sweden. The new fluid is SAE-approved, and we hope that it will become a standard product on the market," continued Niels Eirik Nertun.
Triasol was used to protect against rust, but following an extensive research and development effort, it was possible to replace it with a substance with less environmental impact.
SAS will introduce the new deicing liquid in all airlines within the SAS Group as of autumn 2003.
For more information, please contact: Niels Eirik Nertun, Head of Environment Issues, SAS Group, tel +47 648 178 12 or +47 957 178 12
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