SAS Scandinavian Orders 55 Embraer E2 Jets in $4B Fleet Renewal
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has placed a major order for up to 55 Embraer E195-E2 regional jets, marking a pivotal moment in the carrier’s transformation strategy. Announced on July 1, 2025, at a press conference in Copenhagen, the deal includes 45 firm orders and 10 options, with deliveries set to begin in late 2027 and continue over four years—at an average pace of one aircraft per month. The order is valued at approximately $4 billion.
SAS CEO Anko van der Werff emphasized the strategic importance of the investment, calling it “a bold step forward” and a perfect fit for the airline’s evolving network and sustainability goals. The E2 aircraft were selected for their advanced performance, significantly improved fuel efficiency, and up to 65% lower noise footprint compared to older-generation jets—a key factor for noise-sensitive airports like Copenhagen, which sits close to the city center.
“Sustainability is totally ingrained in the Scandinavian way of life—it’s not an afterthought,” van der Werff said. “Going for too long with older aircraft wouldn’t have been an option for us.”
The new aircraft will help SAS strengthen and expand its Nordic network, particularly in connecting secondary cities to the airline’s hubs in Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo. With the E2’s lower operating costs and flexibility, SAS aims to capture passenger traffic that currently connects through non-Scandinavian hubs, while also boosting inbound tourism to the region’s nature-rich, experience-driven destinations.
“This is about regaining control of our own traffic flows,” van der Werff added. “Our destinations have what the world is looking for right now—authenticity, space, and sustainability.”
The fleet upgrade will also support SAS’s recently announced long-haul growth plans, which include new routes from Copenhagen to Seoul and Mumbai. While widebodies will drive international expansion, the E2s will power a revitalized intra-Nordic network, forming the backbone of the airline’s short-haul strategy.
For Embraer, the deal is a major win, particularly after losing Polish carrier LOT to Airbus earlier this year. SAS will become the 22nd global operator of the E2 family, further strengthening Embraer’s presence in the European regional jet market. SAS Link, the airline’s regional subsidiary, currently operates 12 first-generation E195s, making the E2 a natural progression.
Embraer executives Francisco Gomes Neto and Arjan Meijer, who were present at the Copenhagen announcement, hailed the deal as a vote of confidence in the E2 program’s performance and sustainability credentials.
With this order, SAS signals a clear commitment to both regional growth and environmental responsibility as it moves into a new phase of post-restructuring expansion.
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