pswe

Sounds promising!!

Full press release below





New Airbus fleet will bring SAS into a new long haul future.


SAS and Airbus have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the order of eight new A350-900 XWB and four A330-300 Enhanced. The agreement marks the launch of SAS’ long haul strategy of an extensive fleet renewal plan, options for more aircraft and a total upgrade of passenger cabins on existing fleet.


SAS recently launched a completely new service concept to create the most modern flight experience for our customers. The customer offer is backed by a comprehensive fleet renewal plan with 65 short haul aircraft already announced and initiated, now complemented with an extensive long haul fleet plan. Key deliverables within the strategy 4Excellence Next Generation have paved the way.

“I am very happy with today’s announcement. Whilst continuing to deliver on our strategy and plan for a profitable SAS, we are succeeding in making fundamental changes that allows us to invest in our future as Scandinavia’s leading airline – for the benefit of our customers, employees and shareholders,” said Rickard Gustafson, SAS Group President & CEO.


With the announcement today, SAS initiates important measures to secure a modern and efficient long haul fleet with state of the art aircraft technology from Airbus.


“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,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.


A modern and efficient long haul fleet


The first A350-900 is due in 2018, and already in 2015, the fleet will be upgraded with the first couple of A330-300 Enhanced to replace A340 when the current leasing agreements expire. In the meantime, SAS will commence the cabin upgrade of seven aircraft in the existing fleet.


“The great technological improvements of this extensive fleet renewal plan give SAS a long haul 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. Furthermore, we are able to significantly bring down fuel consumption which will lower our costs and support our goals to reduce emissions,” said Rickard Gustafson.

The A350 is a completely new aircraft type incorporating advanced aerodynamics, the latest materials and system technology available. It offers up to 30% lower fuel consumption per passenger seat and reduced noise by half compared to e.g. A340.


“I look back at an extremely eventful year for SAS with tangible results. We have introduced, delivered and will continue to deliver on our important plan for a profitable SAS. We have launched more than 50 new routes and a completely new customer offer. And now we present a highly competitive long haul plan which will allow SAS to continue our proactive efforts,” said Rickard Gustafson.


The fleet plan has the flexibility to include considerable growth and will be financed by export credit financing and sale & leaseback. The list price of the order is estimated at 3,3 BUSD.


About the long haul fleet renewal plan


SAS’ current long haul fleet consists of seven A340-300 and four A330-300 as well as an additional leased A340 in autumn 2013.


Eight A350-900 XWB


•SAS will order eight A350-900 with options for another six aircraft.
•The A350-900 has approximately 20% higher passenger capacity than the existing A340/A330 fleet.
•The A350-900 is a completely new aircraft type incorporating advanced aerodynamics, the latest materials and system technology available.
•The Aircraft offers up to 30% lower fuel consumption per passenger seat.
•More comfort, larger windows and a quieter cabin resulting in reduced noise by half compared to e.g. A340.
•The A350 will be delivered to SAS starting 2018.

Four A330-300 Enhanced


•SAS will increase its efficient A330 fleet from four to eight aircraft by ordering four of the A330-300 Enhanced.
•The improvements include a new cabin interior, a 2% fuel burn reduction and a huge increase in range, making it a capable aircraft for all of SAS network.
•The A330-300 Enhanced will be delivered to SAS starting 2015

Upgrade of seven A330/A340


•SAS will upgrade the passenger cabins on up to seven selected A330/A340.
•The upgrade will consists of new seats throughout the cabin including fully flat seats in Business Class, and throughout the entire cabin a new high definition full video on demand in-flight entertainment system.
•The Cabin upgrade is expected to be completed 2015.

Tango Alpha

Big news today. SAS will buy 8 Airbus A350-900 and 4 A330-300 Enhanced. The A350 will arrived from 2018, the A330 from 2015.

But still, only an upgrade with one a/c.

--
Missed one thing: options for another 6 A350. And that is really interesting news - if excecuted it will mean a huge expansion of the longhaul routes. Then we don't need the merger with Finnair...

Bjornstrom

I'll post pictures from the SAS event in OSL that starts 11.00. Got a invite! ^

Tango Alpha

Great to see!!

Can we hope to get information at the press conference about how the cabin layouts will be?

Fredrik74

Great news!

Bjornstrom

Look what we found



Press conference live here: http://stream.l6.no/sas/

Bjornstrom

More information about Airbus A350-900:
http://www.airbus.com/aircraftfamili...mily/a350-900/

oliver2002

Not really. The existing A330/340 fleet of 4+7 aircraft came in in 2001-3, so need replacement in approximately 2015-20. So the 12 orders will imply the A340 will be retired early to save on fuel and the 6 options would be an expansion, but only in 10 years.

That said, how on earth will SK cough up the cash to pay for these? Please don't tell me they will lease them outright like the A320 and 738... right now they they even don't have the cash for a sale & leaseback deal

Bjornstrom

oliver2002

Lol! They chose the LH B/E C & M seat!

herro

This is really good news and a very serious attempt to renew the fleet. And along with the new talks about a "FinnSAS" merger then it is really interesting what is going to happen

Nice pictures from Bjornstrom

/HerrO

Tango Alpha

How come?

8+6 A350's + 4 A330's = 18 a/c in my book. What should indicate, that any of those new planes should be retired within 10 years?

Bjornstrom

Rickard said that the A340's will start leaving the fleet in 2015 and the new A330 Enhanced will take their place. 6 A350's are "options" that may or may not be exercised so i'd say that a longhaul fleet of 12 is what we should expect.

Tango Alpha

Yes, they are options, but you don't place options unles you think/hope, you are able to use them. I think this is the first time in decades, that SAS management indicates on print, that it has a hope/vision to expand the longhaul operations - of course if things move in the right direction for the company.

Thanks for the coverage, Bjornstrom, interesting to see the pictures.

SusanDK

If you mean the new LH C seat like the IAD-MUC route, then ^ as I found it very comfortable and reasonably private. Also liked the IFE on LH new C, so wonder if that's also what SK will install.