By Dominic Chopping

STOCKHOLM--Scandinavian airline SAS AB (SAS.SK) said Wednesday that it has signed a joint memorandum of understanding with Airbus SE (AIR.FR) to research the opportunities and challenges that hybrid and electric aircraft will bring to operations and infrastructure.

"This is a unique cooperation to establish the requirements for the next generation of sustainable aircraft," SAS said. "The project aims to gain an understanding of the introduction of hybrid-electric aircraft for large-scale commercial use."

SAS is targeting a 25% reduction in its emissions by 2030, mainly by modernizing its fleet and increasing the use of biofuels, but the airline said Wednesday that it sees electric aircraft as the next step beyond the current technology.

The collaboration also includes a goal to involve a renewable energy supplier to ensure genuine zero emissions operations, it added.

Write to Dominic Chopping at dominic.chopping@wsj.com; @domchopping @WSJNordics

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 22, 2019 07:00 ET (11:00 GMT)