SAS places order for 40 Airbus A330 jets, the largest deal in its history

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) announced that it is placing a $10 billion order for 40 Airbus A330 widebody jets, the largest aircraft order in the Scandinavian carrier’s history.  

The agreement covers 18 firm orders for A330neo aircraft, along with 10 options, plus two other aircraft of the same type to be leased from Avolon. An additional 10 additional leased A330-300 aircraft will be leased from a lessor which has not yet been officially confirmed. The A330neo aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines.

The order was announced by SAS’ CEO Anko van der Werff during a special media event held in Copenhagen, which was also attended by the Danish Minister of Finance, Peter Hummelgaard.  

(Credit: Miquel Ros / AeroTime)

Both Van der Werff and Hummelgaard highlighted the strategic importance of the order for the Danish and broader Scandinavian economy, as it will allow SAS to consolidate and expand its long-haul hub at Copenhagen Airport (CPH), which acts a major gateway for investment and tourism for the whole Nordic region.  

According to estimates shared at the event, the economic impact of SAS fulfilling its 2030 expansion goals has been quantified in 66 billion Danish Kroner ($10 billion approximately), with around 25,000 jobs potentially being created in Denmark and another 4,000 in the adjacent regions of southern Sweden. 

Van der Werff referred to a “Golden Flywheel of GDP growth,” which, he said, is activated when airlines, airports and governments are aligned in the pursuit of growth. 

“The A330neo is a perfect match for SAS strategic ambitions,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft, who also highlighted that with this order this aircraft type has passed the 500-order mark. 

Van der Werff said he sees the order as way for SAS and Scandinavia to reclaim its place in the European hub landscape, pointing out that, historically, the airline played a much larger role as a long-haul connector, before retrenching into its home region a few years ago. 

“This is not just about aircraft. We see aircraft as a way to boost connectivity and ultimately economic growth,” he stated, before adding: “The world needs more Scandinavia.” 

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is set to mark the 80th anniversary of its first flight in September 2026. This upcoming milestone, Van der Werff noted, provides an interesting background story for the airline’s latest order for state-of-the-art aircraft.

(Credit: Miquel Ros / AeroTime)

At the same press conference, SAS announced also it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Swedish firm SkyKraft to evaluate the production of synthetic aviation fuel (e-SAF), as part of the airline’s commitment to sustainability.

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