2008-08-20 17:21 CEST Statement on Accident JK 5022 Routed Madrid - Las Palmas

SAS Group can confirm that a Spanair flight JK 5022, was involved in an accident at Madrid Barajas Airport today.

The aircraft, an MD-82, was en route from Madrid to Las Palmas when the accident occurred, at 14:23 hrs local time. We can confirm that there were 166 passengers and six (6) crew onboard.

JK 5022 is a code- share* flight with Lufthansa flight number LH255.

Information about possible casualties is not yet available, however SAS is doing everything possible to help passengers and next-of-kin and to assist Spanish authorities at this difficult time. A team of specially-trained SAS Group personel is being assembled in Madrid. The names of the passengers and crew on board will not be released until the next-of-kin have been notified.

Spanair has a direct phone number to attend passengers' family of the flight JK 5022: +34 800 400 200. At the moment this telephone number is only working within Spain.

Also see SAS Group homepage for information: www.sasgroup.net

* Code- share- When two or more airlines state their flight number in the timetable for the same flight, while only one of the airlines operates the flight.

SAS Group Corporate Communications Note to editors: We ask journalists not to call the passenger phone number, as a separate media center has been established. The media information center can be contacted at the following numbers: +46 8 797 2081, 797 48 93, 797 12 92

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Kontaktpersoner

Malin Selander Presskontakt Pressansvarig, Sverige +46 70 997 4065