Industrial action during the airline’s first quarter pushed up losses and led the Stockholm-based airline to revise its full-year prediction.

The deficit in February, March and April soared year-on-year from £40 million to £100.4 million following industrial action which saw 2,700 flights cancelled, affecting an estimated 270,000 passengers.

This was despite turnover during the period increasing year on year from £818.4 million to £840.8 million.

SAS said: “In the light of the strike and the macro development, the outlook is revised as it will be challenging to reach a positive result before tax and items affecting comparability in fiscal year 2019."

In a statement, chief executive Rickard Gustafson added: “The pilot strike at the end of the second quarter added to the challenges already faced by SAS from a competitive market – increasing jet fuel price and a weakening Swedish krona.

"In addition, we see decreased demand for domestic travel especially in Sweden.”

SAS has struck a three-year agreement with pilot unions in Denmark, Norway and Sweden that the carrier says includes productivity improvements that will offset increased pay rates.