Industry SAS confirms order for 50 additional A320 NEO

With the order, SAS aims to create a single-type fleet until 2023. The harmonization of aircraft types will lead to increased flexibility and will enable further efficiency enhancements in production. The airline has already begun to phase out old Boeing 737 aircraft.

The first 15 A320neo will be delivered between spring 2019 and 2021. SAS has set up an agreement with lessors to deliver the aircraft. Airbus then will deliver the remaining 35 aircraft until 2023. Furthermore, SAS has purchase rights for five additional A320neos and can increase the number of leased aircraft.

Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO of SAS commented: “Just over one year ago, we started to phase into service brand new Airbus A320neos, and since then we have received a very positive response from our customers. I’m therefore delighted that, through this order, we can continue improving and investing in our customer offering, and thereby SAS’s future. We are also creating a single-type and more efficient fleet for the first time. Ordering 50 Airbus A320neos gives us access to the market’s most efficient aircraft thereby enabling us to further improve our operational efficiency and to continue to reduce our climate-impacting emissions.”

To date, SAS already operates 17 Airbus A320neo from a previous order for 30 A320neo. The aircraft will be equipped with SAS´s new cabin and high-speed Wi-Fi. There can be accommodated 174 passengers in a two-class configuration.

“We are proud with this repeat commitment by SAS. The A320neo will complement SAS’s existing Airbus fleet, with unbeatable fuel efficiency and the lowest operating costs and environmental footprint. It is the perfect choice for SAS, for replacing its older generation aircraft. This means more of SAS’s passengers will keep enjoying the best comfort in the skies,” said Eric Schulz, Chief Commercial Officer, Airbus Commercial Aircraft.

SAS Group is an airline holding company, headquartered in Sweden. It is the owner of Scandinavian Airlines and Scandinavian Airlines Ireland. The group operates with 163 aircraft, including A319s, A320(neo)s, A321s, A330s and A340s. Furthermore, Canadair CRJ 900s and 1000s, as well as aging Boeing 737s are operating on routes throughout Europe.