SAS places an order with Airbus for 30 aircraft

June 20, 2011 14:00

The SAS Group has today placed an order for 30 Airbus A320neo with an option of an additional 11 Airbus A320neo with first delivery from the second half of 2016 and final delivery during 2019.“This aircraft order, on the coming model of Airbus A320, is a significant and important step in our renewal and harmonization of our aircraft fleet. Through this, we will operate with the market’s most efficient and environmental friendly short- and medium distance aircraft as from 2016”, says Göran Jansson, Deputy President & CFO.

“Airbus salutes SAS’ decision to streamline its fleet with our eco-efficient A320neo aircraft”, said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. As an evolution of the highly successful A320, offering the latest in fuel saving technologies, the A320neo is a natural choice for SAS and it will fit seamlessly into its existing A320 family fleet.

SAS has earlier announced that the fleet will be harmonized. As from 2015 SAS’ short-and medium distance aircraft will consist of two aircraft types: Airbus A320 family at the base in Copenhagen and Boeing 737NG at the bases in Stockholm and Oslo.

As part of the transition, all the MD80s in Copenhagen will be replaced by leased Airbus A320 and be completed by the end of 2014 which in turn will be replaced as from 2016 by the now 30 ordered Airbus A320neo. Airbus A320 is very attractive in the market and the SAS Group expects to finance the aircraft through a combination of leasing and loans.

All the MD80s at the base in Stockholm will be replaced by leased Boeing 737NGs, which will be completed during 2013. Finally all the Boeing 737 Classics at the base in Oslo will be replaced by Boeing 737NGs and this will be completed by the end of 2014.

The fuel consumption and the carbon emissions per available passenger kilometers decreases with more than 20% when a MD-80 is being replaced by aB737NG or an aircraft in the Airbus 320 family in the same size. When an aircraft of today’s A320 fleet are replaced with an aircraft of the newest A320neo, the fuel consumption and carbon emissions per available seat kilometers will be reduced by additional 15%.

As a whole, this will provide SAS with a very competitive composition of its fleet in relation to environmental impact, customer comfort and cost efficiency.

SAS has chosen the CFM LEAP-X1A engine to power the A320neos. CFM is the world’s largest engine manufacturer, SAS largest engine provider today, and has offered the most competitive package deal. CFM is a joint venture of Snecma (Safran Group) and GE Engines.

Based on Airbus list prices and before any discounts, the value of the firm order is approximately SEK 18 billion.

For further information,
Sture Stølen, Head of SAS Group Investor Relations, +46 70 997 1451

Lars Andersen Resare, Director Environment & CSR, +46 70 997 2346

SAS Group Investor Relations

SAS discloses this information pursuant to the Swedish Securities Market Act and/or the Swedish Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was provided for publication on 20 June 2011, at 2.00 p.m. CET.

About Airbus A320neo (New Engine Option)

From the second half of 2015, Airbus will offer a new version of its A320 family through Airbus A320neo. Airbus A320neo will have a newly developed engine and improved aerodynamics through its “sharklets” at its winglets that allow lower fuel consumption and increased range with resulting improved environmental performance.

In comparison with the SAS Group’s current A319 and A320, Airbus A320neo will have approximately 15% lower fuel consumption and 15% lower carbon emissions. The new engines also allow a 10% decrease of NOx and reduced noise. The noise footprint around the airports will be reduced by approximately 50%.

The list price for an Airbus A320neo is approximately MUSD 90.

SAS will take its first delivery during the second half of 2016.