Oslo - A Norwegian appeals court ruled Tuesday that SAS Norway should pay a 4 million-kroner-fine (740,000 dollars) for industrial espionage, citing the carrier accessed confidential information on a rival via a joint booking system. The case has been ongoing for several years between SAS Norway, previously known as SAS Braathens and rival carrier Norwegian Air.
Although the joint booking system deal expired in December 2002, SAS Braathens continued to access the rival booking system until the end of 2005, the court ruled.
Norwegian Air has said SAS Braathens could adjust ticket prices and offer special rates according to the booking information.
A district court last year cleared SAS Braathens of the charges but fined the airline and a former employee over using information in an e-mail sent in April 2004.
SAS Norway is part of the SAS Group.
A SAS Norway spokeswoman expressed disappointment over the ruling Tuesday, adding it would be studied carefully.
