Airbus is finalizing a widebody aircraft order from Scandinavian carrier SAS AB for 15 to 20 A330neo and A350 jets, Bloomberg News reported Saturday. The deal, expected to close in coming weeks, marks a win over Boeing as SAS prioritizes fleet commonality and cost containment.
Airbus is closing a widebody order with SAS AB for 15 to 20 A330neo and A350 aircraft, Bloomberg News reported, handing the European planemaker a victory over Boeing at Scandinavia's largest carrier.
"The carrier chose the European planemaker to maintain fleet commonality and keep down costs," the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.
The deal is expected to be finalized in coming weeks, with deliveries beginning early next decade. SAS had also been in discussions with Boeing for a large widebody order before opting for Airbus, the report added. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The order strengthens Airbus's widebody backlog as the planemaker works through production constraints on its A350 and A330neo lines. Airbus delivered four A330-900s in May, according to Aviation Week data, highlighting the bottlenecks the company faces as it builds toward a target of 12 A350s and four A330neos per month by 2028.
For SAS, transitioning to an all-Airbus widebody fleet simplifies maintenance, pilot training and spare parts inventory — a significant operational advantage for a carrier that emerged from US Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2024. The airline currently operates a mix of Airbus A320-family narrowbodies alongside Boeing 767 and 777 widebodies on long-haul routes to North America and Asia.
The widebody order comes as SAS navigates a challenging fuel environment. The carrier was among the first airlines in March to cut a limited number of flights after what it described as a "sharp and sudden increase" in fuel prices triggered by the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Brent crude traded near $85 a barrel in June, up from about $70 at the start of the year.
The deal is subject to final board approval at both companies, the report said.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
