Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airbus for eight A350 XWBs and four A330s as part of its strategy to modernise its fleet with fuel-efficient aeroplanes.
The agreement was signed in the Nowegian capital, Oslo.
The new A350-900s and A330-300s will join the carrier’s existing fleet of 30 Airbus airliners and be powered by Rolls-Royce’s Trent XWB and Trent 700 engines respectively.
In addition to the $1bn engine order, SAS entered into a long-term TotalCare services agreement with Rolls-Royce.
SAS currently operates a fleet of 19 A320 aircraft, four A330s and seven A340s.
SAS Group president and CEO Rickard Gustafson said that the technological improvements of this extensive fleet renewal plan give the airline a long haul fleet that will be top of class in the industry.
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By GlobalData"We look forward to welcoming our passengers on board these fuel efficient aircraft with extremely comfortable and quiet cabins," Gustafson said.
According to Airbus, the new wide-body jetliners will fit seamlessly into the airline’s fleet and deliver operational efficiencies and cost savings due to the commonality across the fleet, a feature unique to Airbus.
Airbus COO Customers John Leahy said: "We are delighted that SAS has underscored their confidence in Airbus by selecting our A330, which offers unbeatable economics and the highest level of operational reliability alongside the A350 XWB, the world’s most technologically advanced and efficient aircraft."
The A350 XWB is the mid-size long-range product line, which comprises three versions and will accommodate between 270 and 350 passengers in three-class layouts.
Airbus has received 1,200 firm orders for A330 jets and more than 900 aircraft are in service with 100 operators worldwide.
A330 is available in passenger, freighter, VIP and military transport / tanker variants.
Image: The new A350-900s and A330-300s will join SAS’s existing fleet of 30 Airbus airliners. Photo: courtesy of Fixion / Airbus SAS.
