Scandinavian Airlines chief executive Mats Jansson has confirmed he will leave the airline later this year.

Mr Jansson – who also serves as president at SAS – will step down in the autumn, with the board presently seeking a successor.

“The Core SAS strategy, including extensive cost-savings, has been established, the financial platform has been secured through the latest rights issue, SAS has gained strength in terms of our products, and customer satisfaction has increased,” said Mr Jansson.

“The company is now well positioned to face the future.”

Stating the decision to leave was “not easy”, Mr Jansson cited his age – the airline president will be 60-years-old in 2010 – while adding he felt he had “done his share” for the airline.

Chairman Fritz Schur, who will head the SAS board’s efforts to identify a successor to Mats Jansson, commented: “During the past four years, Mats has worked exhaustively day and night to lead SAS through a difficult period.

“His efforts have been tremendous, both quantitatively and qualitatively. However, during recent weeks I have understood that he has been contemplating whether or not it would be the right decision for himself, as well as the company, to remain onboard while SAS enters the next phase.”