Written by Stephan Eriksson with Astra Law in Sweden

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is now taking a major step in its recovery after restructuring—SAS has just placed its largest aircraft order directly from a manufacturer since 1996. The choice of Embraer, rather than Airbus or Boeing, says a lot about how SAS views its future role.

The order involves 45 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft with purchase rights for an additional ten planes. The deal is worth about US $4 billion and, according to SAS, is about modernizing the fleet, strengthening regional traffic, and reducing climate impact.

SAS Focuses on Regional Expansion via SAS Link

With this order, SAS aims both to renew its fleet and strengthen its role as a hub for regional air traffic in Scandinavia and beyond. The deal was announced at a press conference at Kastrup in Copenhagen, SAS’s most important hub.

“This is a defining moment for SAS,” said CEO Anko van der Werff at the announcement.

The new aircraft will be placed with SAS Link, SAS’s regional subsidiary, and will be deployed on short- and medium-haul routes in Scandinavia and Europe.

The goal is clear: better connections between smaller cities and major hubs, and a more flexible and cost-effective operation on routes where larger Airbus and Boeing aircraft are not optimal.

Embraer E195-E2—A Technical Upgrade with Lower Emissions

For those following the aviation industry, this is also interesting from a technical perspective. The Embraer E195-E2 is a so-called “next-gen narrowbody” aircraft with room for up to 146 passengers. It is significantly quieter, more fuel-efficient, and more modern than the first-generation E195s that SAS already operates via SAS Link.

The E195-E2 is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1900G engines and has a fuel consumption that is 29% lower than previous versions while noise levels are reduced by 62%. This aircraft type has already been tested with 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and is expected to be certified for it in the near future.

SAS Wants to Grow from Copenhagen, But Sweden and Norway Also Benefit

The first deliveries will take place at the end of 2027, and SAS has secured deliveries at a rate of about one aircraft per month for four years. SAS already signals that the aircraft will contribute to better coverage in Sweden and Norway, not least through more frequent connections to Copenhagen. This strengthens SAS in the battle for the Nordic domestic market where competition from low-cost carriers and smaller regional airlines appears to be increasing.

As we see it, this is also an important signal from SAS: it is no longer an airline on the defensive, but is planning for growth, especially in sustainable regional traffic. That Embraer, rather than Airbus or Boeing, is behind the first major new order after the Chapter 11 process says something about how SAS views its future role—smaller, smarter, and more focused on profitable traffic from the right type of airport.

 

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