Svenskt Flyghistoriskt Forum

"There isn't any doubt at all [of the MD-11 launch], but there has to be a formal decision," a spokesman for McDonnell Douglas tells Flight, referring to the imminent MDC board meeting. The announcement by SAS of its intention to buy 12 MD-11s follows an order from British Caledonian for nine of the type, and from Japanese finance company Mitsui & Co for five. The only missing stated prerequisite for launch is an order from a major US airline, but non-US interest is now developing to the point where that may no longer be necessary.

The $1.46 billion deal from SAS includes two versions of the MD-11: 224-seaters with a large cargo capability for longrange services to Rio de Janeiro, and standard 260-seaters. It is the largest single investment ever made by SAS. Delivery is scheduled from March 1991 to 1994. SAS president Jan Carlzon says: "The choice of the MD-11 is consistent with our strategy to select smaller aircraft [than the 747] that can give our business travel market frequent departures and many non-stop flights. The MD-11 also gives us an opportunity to start reviewing our intercontinental fleet. All our long-haul routes will be operated with MD-11s by 1994."

SAS has allowed 12 options on McDonnell Douglas MD-11s to expire, and has not renewed them. The airline says that the options may be renewed at some point in the future, but no decision has yet been made.

Hans O. Sandström skrev:Tack Roger,

Måste ha varit en "sorgens" dag för McDonnell Douglas då SAS annullerade denna order.
SAS var ju fram till detta en mycket aktad och säker kund i Long Beach.
Om jag inte minns helt fel hade t.ex. SAS den största DC-9 flottan utanför USA.

Hans