Scandinavian airline SAS said it had cancelled 587 flights on Sunday, affecting about 64,000 passengers, amid an ongoing strike by pilots in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

Mediated talks with the SAS pilot unions representing almost 1,500 pilots broke off early Friday without agreement, triggering the strike.

The labour action has resulted in hundreds of cancellations since Friday when about 72,000 passengers were affected. Saturday's cancellations have hit about 34,000 passengers.

‘We deeply regret that our customers are affected by the ongoing pilot strike,’ SAS said.

Domestic flights in the Nordic region as well to European and long-haul destinations were disrupted.

About 30 per cent of flights operated by SAS subcontractors were not affected.

Mediators in the three Nordic capitals said there were big differences between the parties after the talks broke off early Friday.

No contact has been made since, according to the pilot unions and SAS.

SAS pilots want compensation for wage cuts and other concessions they made in 2012 when the company was in dire straits.

More predictable work schedules was another demand from the unions.

In Sweden, the pilots requested wage increases of 13 per cent, while mediators offered 2.3 per cent, in line with general wage hikes, which the employers accepted.

Analysts said SAS could ill afford the wage demands, citing the tough economic environment airlines operate in.

Talks between the pilot unions and SAS have been held since March.

SAS advised passengers to check the SAS website for details of cancellations.