Oslo - Air carrier SAS Norway, part of the SAS Group, Thursday said it would appeal a fine of 4 million kroner (740,000 dollars) for industrial espionage. The fine was handed down by an appeal court on Tuesday which ruled that SAS Norway had accessed confidential information on a rival via a joint booking system.
SAS Norway chief executive Ola Strand said the carrier would appeal to the supreme court since it had not committed any "criminal offence," according to a written statement.
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 appeals 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.
