Douglas Gets $1.5-Billion Order

Scandinavian Airlines System said today it has awarded a $1.5-billion order to replace its short-haul fleet to McDonnell Douglas Corp.

The order is for 61 MD-80s, a modern version of the DC-9 which SAS currently flies. The aircraft, to be delivered between 1990 and 1995, will be powered by United Technologies Corp.’s Pratt and Whitney engines. McDonnell Douglas President Jim Worsham said it was the St. Louis-based company’s second largest order ever for MD-80s and “enables us to continue making our planes through the transition period until production of the MD-91s and 92s.”