SAS pushes A320neo deliveries to 2024

SAS has agreed with Airbus to delay delivery of four A320neos and is in talks with the airframer on further deferrals as the Scandinavian carrier prepares for a slow recovery in traffic after the coronavirus crisis. CFO Torbjorn Wist said during a Q2 results briefing that “so far” negotiations with Airbus had resulted in the deferral of four A320neos from 2022 to 2024. “We continue our discussion on additional solutions,” he says. Cirium fleets data shows that SAS has 40 A320neo-family jets on order – including three A321LRs – and holds options on a further 16. Additionally, the Scandinavian carrier has five A350-900s on order and hold six options. CE Rickard Gustafson said during the briefing that SAS intended to delay “some” deliveries and accelerate the retirement of older aircraft in an effort to reduce the fleet size to match a lower-demand environment. “We might be able to reach a one-type fleet faster than previously anticipated before the crisis,” he says.<br/>