SAS orders 18 A330neos as part of plan to add 40 Airbus widebodies

SAS orders 18 A330neos as part of plan to add 40 Airbus widebodies, expanding the Scandinavian carrier’s long-haul fleet with a single firm purchase. The airline signed an agreement in Copenhagen on 30 June to buy 18 A330-900s powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, marking the start of a wider plan to add up to 40 Airbus widebodies. SAS says it also has A330-300s secured to support near-term growth ahead of deliveries of the new aircraft. With a list price reported at more than $10 billion, SAS called the deal the highest-value aircraft order in its history and described it as evidence of confidence in its future. The A330neos will be operated by SAS Link as regional services, and SAS said the jets support long-haul network development and demand growth. CEO Anko van der Werff cited “outstanding economics” and improved environmental performance. SAS also linked its Copenhagen-focused growth to adding 25,000 jobs and contributing DKr25 billion ($3.8 billion) to GDP by 2030. The airline, emerging from Chapter 11 in 2024, is part-owned by Air France-KLM and is increasing that stake.