 The Norwegian Competition Authority announced that since the new company would have all domestic scheduled services between primary airports , it was unlikely that the take @-@ over would receive permission from them . However , it was stated that one solution could be that the companies discontinue their frequent flyer programs . On 20 August , the Competition Authority declared that SAS was not allowed to purchase Braathens ; the ruling was appealed by SAS and Braathens . Analysts stated that Braathens could be bankrupt by the time the appeal was processed . The Competition Authority stated that their denial of the take @-@ over was that the reduction of capacity would remove the airline 's incentive to provide discounted tickets , because they would not have to use them to capture travelers with lower willingness to pay from the competitor , and that they would not need low @-@ paying customers to fill up the vacant seats . Instead , the authority wanted the politicians to reduce the taxes on flights . While Braathens also was opposed to the tax , they felt that removing it then was too late to save the company . 
