Airbus Secures US$3.4 Billion EIB Loan, Record SAS Aircraft Deal

Airbus has finalized two major agreements, securing a historic €3 billion (US$3.4 billion) corporate loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support long-term research and development, while also receiving a record order from Scandinavian carrier SAS for up to 40 widebody aircraft valued at more than US$10 billion at list prices.

On June 29, 2026, the European Investment Bank announced the signing of a €3 billion credit facility for Airbus during a ceremony in Brussels. The transaction represents the largest corporate loan approved in the history of the Luxembourg-based institution, which serves as the lending arm of the European Union and is owned by its member states.

The agreement was signed by Airbus Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury alongside (EIB) Vice Presidents Robert de Groot, Ambroise Fayolle and Nicola Beer. Under the agreement, Airbus will immediately receive an initial €1 billion (US$1.1 billion) tranche.

The financing will support Airbus's planned investments through 2030 in advanced technologies and integrated systems for commercial aviation, as well as security and defense. The projects will be deployed across the company's principal industrial sites in France, Germany and Spain.

"This new financing, unprecedented in the EIB's history, aims to provide Airbus with not only the capacity but also the flexibility needed to invest in long-term research, development and innovation across both commercial aviation and the security and defense sectors," said Ambroise Fayolle, EIB Vice President.

EIB President Nadia Calviño noted that the credit line was approved within six months of Airbus's initial request, saying the timeline "shows that Europe can move with speed and at scale to support its champions and reinforce its position in the emerging geopolitical landscape." Calviño added that the EIB Group is deploying its resources "to bolster Europe's technological autonomy, industrial strength and economic competitiveness" amid intensifying competition from the United States and China.

Thomas Toepfer, Airbus Chief Financial Officer, highlighted the strategic value of the financing. "This financing facility strengthens our strategic partnership with the EIB. Its highly competitive terms and additional flexibility give us greater room to manage our balance sheet, optimize financing costs and sustain our long-term investments in aerospace innovation," Toepfer said.

Airbus, founded in 1970 and integrated into the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) following its 2000 merger, maintains corporate headquarters in the Netherlands and France while operating assembly facilities across Europe, Canada, China and the United States.

SAS Places Record Fleet Renewal Order

At the same time, in Copenhagen, SAS confirmed an agreement to acquire up to 40 Airbus widebody aircraft to modernize and expand its long-haul fleet. The deal represents the largest aircraft order in the Scandinavian airline's history.

The agreement includes a firm order for 18 Airbus A330-900 aircraft, the flagship model of the A330neo family. To meet near-term capacity requirements, SAS will also acquire previous-generation A330-300 aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the early 2030s.

The decision followed a competitive evaluation of proposals from Boeing, which offered its 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft. SAS said selecting Airbus preserves fleet commonality, avoiding the additional costs associated with introducing a new aircraft type, including pilot training, spare parts inventories and ground support infrastructure.

The A330-300 is fully compatible with SAS's existing long-haul fleet, while the A330-900 shares most of its structural components with the earlier model.

"Combining outstanding economics with improved environmental performance, these aircraft will play a key role in our long-term fleet strategy," said Anko van der Werff, CEO, SAS, during the signing ceremony with Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus Executive Vice President of Sales for Commercial Aircraft. "They will allow us to deliver an exceptional customer experience, expand our network, and offer greater flexibility and convenience for our passengers."

The A330-900 is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines and offers a range of up to 8,100 nautical miles (15,000 kilometers). According to Airbus, the aircraft delivers 25% lower fuel consumption, carbon dioxide emissions and operating costs than previous-generation competing aircraft.

The aircraft is currently certified to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with Airbus targeting 100% SAF capability by 2030. As of the end of May 2026, the A330 family had accumulated more than 1,950 orders from 133 customers worldwide.

"The A330-900 is the benchmark for efficiency and versatility in its category. By introducing these 18 A330neo aircraft, SAS will benefit from outstanding seat-mile economics and seamless operational synergies with its existing Airbus fleet," said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus Executive Vice President of Sales for Commercial Aircraft.

Post-Bankruptcy Turnaround and Network Expansion

The multibillion-dollar investment marks another milestone in SAS's transformation following its emergence from US Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2024. The restructuring eliminated billions of dollars in debt, removed the airline from public markets and established a new ownership structure led by the Air France-KLM Group. As part of that transition, SAS left the Star Alliance and joined the rival SkyTeam alliance.

The carrier's financial position has stabilized since the restructuring, with SAS reporting an operating profit in 2025 after significant losses in the previous fiscal year. The Airbus order follows the airline's firm purchase of 55 Embraer regional aircraft last year. Management has identified both acquisitions as the cornerstone of its fleet renewal strategy and international network expansion over the coming decade.