Investment is on the agenda today for Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) as it announces it is to acquire up to 40 Airbus widebody aircraft.
The investment comprises up to 40 Airbus widebody aircraft, combining new Airbus A330-900neo aircraft with additional Airbus A330-300 aircraft secured to support near-term growth ahead of the arrival of the new fleet. The Airbus order represents the highest-value aircraft order ever placed by SAS, with a total list price of over USD 10 billion.
The airline has signed a firm order with Airbus for 18 A330-900neo.
Together, these investments will support the continued development of SAS’ long-haul network, enhancing the airline’s ability to connect Scandinavia with key international markets in the decades ahead.
Today’s announcement follows last year’s order for 55 Embraer E195-E2 regional aircraft. Together with the ongoing renewal of the Airbus A320neo fleet, these investments represent the most significant modernisation of the SAS fleet in decades, delivering substantial improvements in fuel efficiency, noise performance, and customer experience.
The new Airbus A330neo aircraft will support SAS’ future long-haul operations, while additional capacity secured for the coming years will support continued network development and demand growth. Together, these investments provide flexibility to meet future demand, strengthen international reach, and support SAS’ ambition to combine growth with continued progress in operational efficiency and sustainability. This includes continued collaboration with industry partners to accelerate the development of renewable aviation fuels, including e-SAF.
In Quotes
Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of SAS, said:
“For 80 years, SAS has connected Scandinavia with the world and the world with Scandinavia. Today, we are investing in the next chapter of our story,” said
“This is the largest investment in our company’s history and a clear signal of our confidence in the future. At the same time, the analysis we are presenting today demonstrates the broader value of international access. Strong global links create opportunities for businesses, support jobs, attract investment, and strengthen competitiveness across our region.”
He adds
“Strong international access is a competitive advantage,”
“In a world where investment, talent and opportunity move across borders, well-connected regions are best positioned to succeed. By investing in our future and strengthening our ability to connect Scandinavia with the world, we are helping create lasting value across Denmark, the Öresund region and Scandinavia as a whole.”
On the A330-900neo, there is commentary too. Anko van der Werff said:
“On behalf of SAS, I am delighted to announce this order for the Airbus A330-900. Combining outstanding economics with improved environmental performance, the aircraft will play a key role in our long-term fleet strategy. It will allow us to deliver an exceptional customer experience, expand our network, and offer greater flexibility and convenience for our passengers. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Airbus well into the future”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business. added:
“We are immensely proud to see SAS reaffirm its trust in Airbus to drive its fleet modernisation. The A330-900 is the undisputed benchmark for efficiency and versatility in its category. By integrating these 18 A330neo, SAS will benefit from unbeatable seat-mile economics and seamless operational synergies with its existing Airbus fleet”
Powered by the latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines,
It’s going to be a wait for the neo’s though
With a massive fleet renewal on the cards, it’s going to take time for those A330neos to turn up; thus, SAS is adding capacity now with existing A330-300s (with their final one delivered to Aer Lingus in 2020).
Thus, as SAS wishes to grow, it’s going to have to lean into other lessors and airlines who are choosing to change their fleets.
SAS’s long-haul fleet comprises a premium fleet (the Airbus A350), a middle fleet (the Airbus A330), and a long-and-thin fleet (the Airbus A321LR). It seems growth in its middle segment is key here, with the A330-300s range being more than optimal to serve that need.
As SAS tries to grow its Copenhagen base, it will need aircraft to expand it (along with its other bases across Scandinavia).
We’ll have to see where SAS are going to source its additional A330-300 fleet from. That could be very interesting.
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