Scandinavian carrier SAS has signed a memorandum of understanding for eight A350s and four A330s as part of its fleet modernisation strategy.
The new aircraft will augment the airline’s existing 30-strong Airbus fleet with new A350-900s and A330-300s. Currently, SAS operates a fleet of 19 A320-family aircraft, four A330s and seven A340s.
SAS, which has embarked on a widespread strategy to stem ongoing losses, will use the new aircraft to improve efficiency on longhaul operations and to retire its A340s.
“The great technological improvements of this extensive fleet renewal plan give SAS a longhaul fleet that will be top of class in the industry. It will truly increase our competitiveness and strengthen our customer offering – both with regard to comfort, service and efficiency,” said Rickard Gustafson, SAS Group President & CEO.
SAS operates longhaul services from its Copenhagen and Stockholm bases to New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Bangkok, Beijing, Tokyo and Dubai.
