How far advanced the studies are depends on the degree of penetration by low-cost carriers in their home market. Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus, which has seen its onward Oneworld alliance connections from London Heathrow Airport affected by severe competition from low-cost carriers operating from its Dublin base, has taken Ryanair as a benchmark and is likely to be the first airline to unveil plans for a hybrid service. However, Eva-Karin Dahl, director of the Scandinavian Lite low-fares carrier project for SAS, says the new airline, which is to be launched and branded on 30 March, has no plans to offer interline connectivity with SAS mainline services. Scandinavian Lite has renegotiated its pilot and cabin crew contracts as part of wider cost savings that should ensure profitability at an average return fare of SKr2,000 ($235) compared with around SKr6,000 for SAS mainline, says Dahl.