SAS to purchase 12 Airbus A321s for SEK 4.5 billion

SAS to purchase 12 Airbus A321s for SEK 4.5 billion SAS has decided to invest in new, larger aircraft for use in Europe and Scandinavia. The order consists of twelve Airbus A321-100s and an option to purchase an additional ten aircraft. The value of the order totals slightly more than SEK 4.5 billion. The Airbus A321 represents a new size class in the SAS fleet and does not replace any existing type of aircraft. "The decision shows that we are serious about our expansion plans. The new, larger Airbus planes will help us to fill our new intercontinental aircraft, the Airbus A330-300 and the A340-300 with passengers. We will also expand and take market share in traffic to and from Europe," says Jan Stenberg, CEO of SAS. The increasing overcrowding at large airports in Europe is making it difficult to expand by introducing more flights. Instead, expansion has to occur through larger aircraft. The Airbus A321 will increase SAS's capacity to several large cities in Europe and simultaneously strengthen traffic between the primary cities in Scandinavia. This capacity increase will facilitate an expansion of the entire SAS traffic system. Larger aircraft instead of more flights will also mean that SAS can lower unit costs; cost per seat. The SAS version of the Airbus A321 can accommodate between 158 - 182 passengers, depending on the configuration. Configured with five seats across the plane accommodates 158 passengers and with six seats across accommodates 182. The cabin is very flexible and seats can be converted according to needs. SAS customers will appreciate the comfortable seats and the wide, spacious cabin in the Airbus A321. The cabin also has ample room above the seats for hand baggage. The A321 has two engines and will be equipped with International Aero Engines V2500-A5. A similar engine is used in the SAS MD-90. Freight capacity is an advantage on the A321 and will mean increased freight revenues for SAS. It is also very easy to load thanks to an ingenious container system. This solution will reduce the amount of time needed for loading and will also provide a good working environment. The Airbus A321 meets SAS's strict requirements regarding low fuel consumption, low noise levels and environmentally adapted production. The first aircraft will be delivered in the autumn of 2001, and before the end of year 2002 five planes are expected to be in operation. The aircraft will travel between the Scandinavian capital cities and several larger European cities such as Amsterdam, Brussels, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Paris and Rome. To see and download a photograph of the plane please visit www.scandinavian.net. SAS CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/02/17/20000217BIT00590/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/02/17/20000217BIT00590/bit0002.pdf