SAS places an order for up to 40 Airbus A330s to more than double its long-haul capacity

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has placed an order for up to 40 Airbus A330s to expand its long-haul network. Valued at $10 billion in list prices, it is the airline’s largest fleet investment to date and the first long-haul aircraft order SAS has placed since acquiring an Airbus A330-300 in 2018. 

“For 80 years, SAS has connected Scandinavia to the world and the world to Scandinavia. Today, we are investing in the next chapter of our history,” Anko van der Werff, CEO of SAS, said during a press conference in Copenhagen. He described the new aircraft purchase as “a clear signal of our confidence in the future.”

SAS picks A330-900neos and A330-300Es for fleet growth

SAS, which is now part of the Air France-KLM Group, currently operates a long-haul fleet of 17 aircraft, including eight Airbus A330-300s (average age 14.9 years), six Airbus A350-900s (average age four years), and three A321-200LRs (average age just over five years).

The airline will acquire 18 A330-900s with options for an additional ten, and 12 A330-300s “to support near-term growth,” according to van der Werff. 

The airline’s current A330-300s accommodate 266 passengers in three classes, including 32 business class seats, 56 premium economy seats and 178 economy seats. The A330-900 can fit between 287 and 303 seats.

SAS indicated it will configure the aircraft with capacity for around 290 passengers. That would be slightly lower capacity than the airline’s Airbus A350s, which accommodate 300 passengers in 40 business class seats, 32 premium economy seats, and 228 economy class seats. 

The airline noted the A330-900 advantages, with 25% less fuel burn per seat than previous generation aircraft, a range up to 7,350 nautical miles and operational reliability of 99%. It also highlighted the aircraft’s commonality with SAS’s existing A330 fleet, with 95% shared airframe parts. 

SAS plans to increase passenger numbers by 68%

Danish aviation news outlet Check-in reported that SAS has set a target to increase its passenger numbers by 68% by 2030. The airline recorded 28.3 million passengers in the last financial year, ending October 31, which would mean SAS expects to serve around 48 million annual travellers by the next decade.

SAS fleet expansion supports jobs 

SAS presented an analysis of the potential economic impact of its planned expansion at Copenhagen Airport. It shows that SAS’s planned growth would support an additional 25,000 jobs and contribute DKK 25 billion ($3.8 billion) to Denmark’s GDP by 2030. The planned growth would also support around 4,000 new jobs in Southern Sweden.

“Strong international access is a competitive advantage,” said Anko van der Werff. “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.”

SAS signs e-SAF deal to support future fleet

SAS also announced it is signing a Memorandum of Understanding with SkyKraft to explore the potential development of e-SAF as part of its long-term sustainability goals. The airline has committed to continued collaboration with partners “to accelerate the development of renewable aviation fuels.”

SAS celebrates its 80th anniversary with a new record aircraft order

Last year, SAS announced a record order for 55 Embraer E195-E2 regional aircraft, which today’s announcement has now surpassed in value. 

The announcement of up to 40 new long-haul aircraft to be added to the fleet comes as SAS celebrates its 80th anniversary, connecting Scandinavia with the world.

Featured Image: SAS