SAS said the agreement represents the largest investment in the airline’s history.
Dubai: Airbus has secured a deal worth more than $10 billion at list prices from SAS, providing the Scandinavian airline with up to 40 widebody aircraft as it expands its long-haul operations from Copenhagen.
SAS said on Tuesday that it has chosen the Airbus A330-300 and the longer-range A330-900neo, describing the deal as the largest investment in its history.
SAS said the aircraft will help expand its long-haul network and strengthen connections between Scandinavia and key international markets.
“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,” the airline said.
The order further strengthens SAS’ existing widebody relationship with Airbus. The airline already operates an all-Airbus long-haul fleet, including A350 aircraft and earlier-generation A330 jets.
SAS had also been in discussions with Boeing regarding the deal, CEO Anko Van Der Werff said earlier this year.
Airbus secures another fleet win
The order comes as SAS continues its broader fleet renewal programme. The airline operates 138 aircraft and serves more than 130 destinations.
Last year, SAS also placed an order with Embraer for up to 55 E195 regional jets as part of its strategy to strengthen its short-haul and regional network.
SAS has been reshaping its ownership and fleet strategy following a major restructuring.
Air France-KLM announced last year that it would raise its stake in SAS to 60.5%, up from around 20%, by purchasing shares from Castlelake and Lind Invest.
The Franco-Dutch group initially invested in SAS in 2023 after the Scandinavian airline entered reorganisation and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
EIB funding backs Airbus growth
The SAS order comes a day after Airbus secured its first €1 billion loan from the European Investment Bank to support research and development across the European aerospace sector.
The financing forms part of a broader €3 billion package, the largest corporate loan ever approved by the EIB.
The funds will support Airbus investments through 2030 in advanced technologies and integrated systems for commercial aviation, security, and defence. Projects will be carried out across France, Germany, and Spain.
