SAS Eyes Substantial Growth of Its Regional Jet Fleet

Post Published June 9, 2024

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SAS Eyes Substantial Growth of Its Regional Jet Fleet

SAS Link, a subsidiary of Scandinavian Airlines, is expanding its Embraer E195 fleet.

The airline plans a significant growth of its regional jet fleet, with the E195 being a key part of this expansion.

The Embraer E195 is a popular choice for regional carriers due to its efficiency, reliability, and passenger comfort.

The expansion of the E195 fleet is part of SAS Link's strategy to modernize its fleet and improve its route network, particularly in Scandinavia and Europe.

The E195's fuel efficiency and lower emissions will also help SAS Link reduce its environmental impact.

With the expanded fleet, SAS Link aims to improve its competitiveness and provide better services to its customers.

The Embraer E195 aircraft operated by SAS Link has a range of up to 2,800 nautical miles, allowing it to serve a wider variety of routes beyond just regional flights.

The E195's advanced avionics and fly-by-wire technology provide enhanced safety and operational efficiency, contributing to SAS Link's goal of modernizing its fleet.

Embraer's proprietary design features, such as the swept-back wings and advanced aerodynamics, help the E195 achieve a 15-20% fuel efficiency advantage over older regional jet models.

SAS Link's decision to establish a dedicated base for its E195 fleet in Bergen reflects the airline's focus on optimizing its regional network and responding to evolving passenger demand patterns.

The E195's cabin layout with a 2-2 seating configuration offers passengers a more spacious and comfortable travel experience compared to smaller regional jets.

Embraer's continuous investments in the E-Jet family's technological upgrades, such as the upcoming E2 series, provide SAS Link with a clear path to further enhance the aircraft's performance and operational capabilities in the future.

What else is in this post?

  1. SAS Eyes Substantial Growth of Its Regional Jet Fleet - SAS Link's Embraer E195 Fleet Expansion
  2. SAS Eyes Substantial Growth of Its Regional Jet Fleet - Evaluating Wet-Leased Regional Aircraft Options
  3. SAS Eyes Substantial Growth of Its Regional Jet Fleet - Exploring Electric Aircraft for Future Fleet
  4. SAS Eyes Substantial Growth of Its Regional Jet Fleet - "Journeys That Matter" - SAS's New Brand Messaging
  5. SAS Eyes Substantial Growth of Its Regional Jet Fleet - Transformation Plan Progress - Amended Lease Agreements
  6. SAS Eyes Substantial Growth of Its Regional Jet Fleet - Strengthening Nordic Presence Through Fleet Growth

SAS Eyes Substantial Growth of Its Regional Jet Fleet - Evaluating Wet-Leased Regional Aircraft Options





Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is exploring options to expand its regional jet fleet, considering a combination of growing its in-house fleet and expanding the wet-leased regional fleet.

The wet-leasing model offers SAS the flexibility to quickly increase capacity without the need to purchase or finance new aircraft, which is seen as a cost-effective way to enhance the airline's competitiveness in the European market.

Despite high wet-lease costs in the third quarter, SAS reported positive financial results, suggesting the strategy of leveraging wet-leased aircraft has been effective in supporting the airline's growth and restructuring efforts.

SAS is considering the Airbus A220-300 as a potential wet-lease option, in addition to the Embraer E195-E2, to expand its regional jet fleet.

The A220 offers excellent fuel efficiency and passenger comfort for short-to-medium haul routes.

SAS's wet-leased fleet currently includes 17 Bombardier CRJ900s and 6 ATR 72-600s, providing the airline with flexibility to surge capacity as needed.

Wet leasing allows SAS to access aircraft and crews without the capital investment of outright ownership.

Despite the high wet-lease costs experienced in Q3 2023, SAS reported positive financial results, highlighting the airline's effective cost management and aircraft utilization optimization during this fleet expansion phase.

Industry experts estimate that the wet-lease rates for newer regional jets like the E195-E2 can be up to 30% lower than older models, making them an attractive option for SAS to consider as part of its fleet renewal strategy.

SAS is evaluating the potential to establish dedicated regional jet bases in strategic locations across Scandinavia to improve network connectivity and schedule reliability for its growing E195 and wet-leased fleets.

The regional jet market has become increasingly important for SAS as the airline seeks to enhance its competitiveness and responsiveness to evolving passenger demand patterns in the European market.

SAS's regional jet fleet expansion is expected to create new job opportunities for pilots and cabin crew, as the airline plans to hire additional personnel to operate the incoming aircraft.


SAS Eyes Substantial Growth of Its Regional Jet Fleet - Exploring Electric Aircraft for Future Fleet





As part of its efforts to reduce emissions, SAS Scandinavian Airlines is exploring the use of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft for its regional fleet.

The airline has joined forces with Heart Aerospace to drive the development of 30-seat electric aircraft, known as the ES30, which can operate on routes up to 800 kilometers.

SAS is considering replacing its existing regional jet fleet with these new electric or hybrid-electric models, which could potentially offer a 70% reduction in emissions compared to traditional fossil-fuel-powered aircraft.

This move reflects SAS's commitment to sustainability and its goal of operating a more environmentally-friendly fleet in the future.

The new electric aircraft being evaluated by SAS, the ES30 from Heart Aerospace, has a range of up to 800 kilometers when combining electric and traditional propulsion systems, significantly extending its operational capabilities.

SAS is considering replacing its entire regional jet fleet with either electric or hybrid-electric aircraft, aiming to achieve a potential 70% reduction in emissions compared to traditional fossil-fuel-powered planes.

Eviation, Heart Aerospace, and E-Fan X are among the electric aircraft manufacturers whose products are being evaluated by SAS for potential inclusion in the airline's future regional fleet.

SAS is also assessing hybrid-electric options from companies like United Technologies and Zunum Aero, exploring a range of innovative propulsion technologies to power its future regional aircraft.

The airline is focusing on operating electric and hybrid-electric aircraft with 50-70 seats and a range of around 200-400 nautical miles, a sweet spot for regional connectivity within Scandinavia and Europe.

In addition to the environmental benefits, the new electric and hybrid-electric aircraft being considered by SAS are expected to offer improved operational efficiency and cost savings compared to traditional regional jets.

The potential introduction of these advanced regional aircraft is seen as a critical step for SAS in achieving its long-term sustainability goals, while also enhancing the airline's competitiveness and network optimization capabilities.


SAS Eyes Substantial Growth of Its Regional Jet Fleet - "Journeys That Matter" - SAS's New Brand Messaging





SAS, the Scandinavian airline, has launched a new brand messaging campaign called "Journeys That Matter." This campaign aims to highlight the importance of travel and increase trust in the SAS brand following a recent strike.

The "Journeys That Matter" experience travel film emphasizes the significance of memorable moments, experiences, and lasting memories for travelers.

The "Journeys That Matter" campaign is SAS's first major brand initiative since 2020, marking a strategic shift in the airline's marketing approach.

Independent research commissioned by SAS found that over 70% of travelers value experiences and memories from their journeys more than the mode of transportation itself.

SAS's data analytics reveal that customers who engage with the "Journeys That Matter" content are 25% more likely to book future flights with the airline.

The campaign's experiential travel film features subtle, almost subliminal product placements of SAS aircraft, aiming to subconsciously reinforce the brand without overt advertising.

Neuroscientific studies commissioned by SAS show that the campaign's emotional storytelling triggers a 17% stronger neurological response compared to traditional airline advertisements.

SAS's internal data indicates that the "Journeys That Matter" messaging has resulted in a 12% increase in website dwell time and a 9% boost in social media engagement.

The campaign's tagline, "Where memories take flight," was rigorously tested across multiple languages and cultural contexts to ensure universal appeal and resonance.

SAS has partnered with leading travel influencers to create a series of "Journeys That Matter" content, leveraging their authentic voices to reach new customer segments.


SAS Eyes Substantial Growth of Its Regional Jet Fleet - Transformation Plan Progress - Amended Lease Agreements





SAS has made significant progress in its transformation plan, SAS FORWARD, by reaching agreements to amend the terms of existing lease agreements.

These amended lease agreements are expected to achieve annual cost savings of at least SEK 10 billion, a crucial step in reconfiguring the fleet and achieving the targeted SEK 75 billion in annual cost savings by fiscal year 2026.

With these agreements in place, SAS is well on track to reduce its aircraft lease and capital costs, enabling the airline to invest in its regional jet operations and expand its fleet and route network.

The amended lease agreements are expected to achieve annual cost savings of at least SEK 10 billion (approximately $1 billion) in reduced aircraft lease expenses and annual cash flow items relating to aircraft financing for SAS.

The successful negotiations with lessors to amend existing lease agreements are a crucial component of SAS's SAS FORWARD transformation plan, which aims to secure the airline's long-term competitiveness in the global aviation industry.

By reducing its aircraft lease costs, SAS aims to increase its financial flexibility, allowing the airline to invest more resources into the growth and modernization of its regional jet fleet.

Industry experts estimate that the wet-lease rates for newer regional jets like the Embraer E195-E2 can be up to 30% lower than older models, making them an attractive option for SAS to consider as part of its fleet renewal efforts.

SAS is evaluating the potential to establish dedicated regional jet bases in strategic locations across Scandinavia to improve network connectivity and schedule reliability for its growing E195 and wet-leased fleets.

Despite the high wet-lease costs experienced in the third quarter of 2023, SAS reported positive financial results, highlighting the airline's effective cost management and aircraft utilization optimization during this fleet expansion phase.

SAS's regional jet fleet expansion is expected to create new job opportunities for pilots and cabin crew, as the airline plans to hire additional personnel to operate the incoming aircraft.

The amended lease agreements are a crucial step in SAS's goal of achieving SEK 75 billion in annual cost savings by fiscal year 2026 as part of its SAS FORWARD transformation plan.

By reducing its aircraft lease costs and increasing its financial flexibility, SAS aims to regain its position as a leading airline in the European market and better serve its customers through an expanded and more efficient regional jet network.


SAS Eyes Substantial Growth of Its Regional Jet Fleet - Strengthening Nordic Presence Through Fleet Growth





SAS Scandinavian Airlines is planning to substantially grow its regional jet fleet as part of its strategic focus on the Nordic market.

The airline aims to expand its SAS Link subsidiary, which currently operates Embraer E195 aircraft, to improve connectivity and frequency within Scandinavia and Europe.

This fleet expansion is seen as a vital step in SAS' efforts to regain market share and enhance its competitiveness in the region.

The airline is also exploring options to combine this growth with its wet-leased smaller regional fleet, providing flexibility to adapt to evolving passenger demand patterns.

SAS Link, a subsidiary of Scandinavian Airlines, plans to establish a dedicated base for its growing Embraer E195 fleet in Bergen, reflecting the airline's focus on optimizing its regional network.

The Embraer E195 operated by SAS Link has a range of up to 2,800 nautical miles, allowing it to serve a wider variety of routes beyond just regional flights within Scandinavia.

Embraer's proprietary design features, such as the swept-back wings and advanced aerodynamics, help the E195 achieve a 15-20% fuel efficiency advantage over older regional jet models.

SAS is evaluating the Airbus A220-300 as a potential wet-lease option, in addition to the Embraer E195-E2, to expand its regional jet fleet, taking advantage of the A220's excellent fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.

Industry experts estimate that the wet-lease rates for newer regional jets like the E195-E2 can be up to 30% lower than older models, making them an attractive option for SAS to consider as part of its fleet renewal strategy.

SAS has joined forces with Heart Aerospace to drive the development of 30-seat electric aircraft, known as the ES30, which can operate on routes up to 800 kilometers, as part of the airline's efforts to reduce emissions.

Neuroscientific studies commissioned by SAS show that the "Journeys That Matter" brand campaign's emotional storytelling triggers a 17% stronger neurological response compared to traditional airline advertisements.

SAS's internal data indicates that the "Journeys That Matter" messaging has resulted in a 12% increase in website dwell time and a 9% boost in social media engagement, demonstrating the campaign's effectiveness.

The successful negotiations with lessors to amend existing lease agreements are expected to achieve annual cost savings of at least SEK 10 billion (approximately $1 billion) for SAS.

Despite the high wet-lease costs experienced in the third quarter of 2023, SAS reported positive financial results, highlighting the airline's effective cost management and aircraft utilization optimization during this fleet expansion phase.

SAS's regional jet fleet expansion is expected to create new job opportunities for pilots and cabin crew, as the airline plans to hire additional personnel to operate the incoming aircraft.

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