Will Phase Out Older 737s, MD80s

While it's not known whether the timing of the move has anything to do with a recent decompression incident aboard a Southwest Airlines B373, the Solana, Sweden-based airline SAS says it has made a decision to phase out the MD80 and Boeing 737 Classic aircraft it operates from Stockholm and Oslo, and replace them with Boeing 737NG airliners. SAS has signed an agreement to lease in 5 new 737-800NGs from GECAS, as well as an MoU regarding the lease of 12 Boeing 737-700’s from GECAS. The lease arrangements mean that there will be limited aircraft investments in 2011.

SAS has today 87 short haul jet based in Oslo and Stockholm, 67 Boeing 737NGs, 11 Boeing 737 Classics and 9 MD80s.

In line with SAS strategy to streamline its fleet, a decision has been made to also phase out MD80 in its Copenhagen base and replace it with Airbus A320. The replacement will start in 2012 and is expected to be completed by 2016. SAS today operates 29 Short haul jets in Copenhagen, 12 A320 and 17 MD80s

SAS President & CEO Rickard Gustafson comments. “We are very pleased that we now can continue the process of renewing our fleet. This will reduce complexity and improve our environmental performance."

FMI: www.flysas.com