The cream of the Irish travel industry were out in force to join SAS at the airline’s 50th anniversary celebration lunch in The Greenhouse, one of Dublin’s Michelin-rated fine dining restaurants. The event was hosted in association with Dublin Airport.
The guests were welcomed by Alan Sparling, former Manager of SAS in Ireland, who is currently the GSA for the carrier.A unique fact is that in the 50 years of operations in Ireland, there have only been two managers,Hans Assa and Alan Sparling
It all began in 1966 when a young Hans Assa from Denmark arrived in Dublin to open the SAS office and organised the first flight, which was DUB-MAN-CPH, and he quickly built up a strong working relationship with the travel agents in Ireland. The first flight was operated by a SUD-SE 210 Caravelle III aircraft SO it was fitting that Hans and his wife Aileen were guests at the lunch.
Hans Dyhroft, General Manager Europe, who flew in specially to join the 50th anniversary celebrations, pointed out the carrier’s origins and its unique three-country ownership. He thanked all the agents for their loyalty and support down through the years.
SAS currently operates 24 flights a week to Scandinavia and it is estimated that the airline has carried some 4.5 million passengers on the Dublin routes over the past 50 years.
Aileen Assa paid a tribute to Hans, in that he has been a wonderful gentleman, as a husband, father and partner.
Chef Mickael Viljanen produced a fine four-course tasting menu of Gorolles Veloute to start followed by a Gravellax, with a main course of rack of lamb, while dessert was lingonberry with white chocolate.
