Sydbank A/S has continued its strategic share buyback program with significant transactions in week 19, repurchasing 66,000 shares at an average purchase price, totaling DKK 28.006 million. This move is part of the bank's broader plan to reduce its share capital, initiated on March 3, 2025, with a total allocation of DKK 1.35 billion. The program, set to conclude by January 31, 2026, has so far accumulated 762,000 shares, amounting to DKK 317.038 million.

The transactions, executed by Danske Bank A/S on behalf of Sydbank, adhere to the Safe Harbour rules under Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052. These regulations ensure the buyback is conducted in a manner that prevents market abuse, providing a transparent framework for such financial operations.

Following the latest repurchases, Sydbank now holds 760,964 of its own shares, representing 1.48% of its total share capital. When including direct and indirect holdings, the bank's control extends to 768,839 shares, or 1.51% of its share capital. This strategic accumulation underscores Sydbank's commitment to optimizing its capital structure and enhancing shareholder value.

The detailed execution of these transactions, including the specific dates and volumes, has been disclosed in compliance with Article 5 of the Market Abuse Regulation. Sydbank's transparent approach and adherence to regulatory standards highlight its dedication to maintaining trust and integrity in the financial markets. As the buyback program progresses, stakeholders are keenly watching its impact on the bank's financial health and market position.

Finnair is gradually restoring its Airbus A321 fleet to service after an uncertified cleaning procedure forced the grounding of eight aircraft. The airline confirmed that seat covers were washed with water, a method not properly certified to ensure fire protection standards were maintained. This safety concern prompted the removal of the affected aircraft from service, leading to operational disruptions across Finnair's European network.

The situation began improving over the weekend as Finnair started installing new seat covers on the grounded aircraft. The first A321 returned to service on Sunday, operating a flight from Helsinki to Rhodes. However, seven aircraft remain out of service with no confirmed timeline for their full return. The A321s typically seat approximately 200 passengers and are crucial for Finnair's European route operations.

The grounding has resulted in significant passenger disruptions, with Finnair implementing extensive rebooking procedures. On Sunday alone, approximately 460 passengers were moved to different flights due to aircraft downgrades. The airline has prioritized high-frequency routes such as Helsinki-Stockholm and Helsinki-London, ensuring alternative options are available. In some cases, Finnair has used smaller replacement aircraft and offered incentives for volunteers to switch flights.

To manage the capacity shortfall, Finnair has wet-leased two aircraft with crews from Danish carrier DAT since Wednesday. While flight cancellations have decreased to single digits in recent days, with some days passing without any cancellations, the airline acknowledges that irregularities may continue through the coming week. Finnair is providing accommodation and compensation to affected passengers in accordance with EU air passenger rights regulations as it works to fully resolve the operational challenges.