• Wizz Air Getty Gdansk
    Wizz Air
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    W6/WZZ
    Airline Type:
    Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier
    Year Founded:
    2003
    CEO:
    József Váradi
    Country:
    Hungary
  • rsz_airbus_50th_years_anniversary_formation_flight_-_air_to_air
    Airbus
    Stock Code:
    AIR
    Date Founded:
    1970-12-18
    CEO:
    Guillaume Faury
    Headquarters Location:
    Toulouse, France
    Key Product Lines:
    Airbus A220, Airbus A320, Airbus A330, Airbus A340, Airbus A350, Airbus A380
    Business Type:
    Planemaker

According to news channel Bloomberg, low-cost carrier Wizz Air has given Airbus notice that it will exercise its existing purchase rights for 75 Airbus A321neos. Airbus granted the purchase rights last year as part of a larger order from the carrier.

It seems Wizz Air wants every A320/321neo it can get

A321XLR Wizzair
Wizz Air plans to begin flying the A321XLR in 2023. Image: Airbus

In November 2021, Wizz Air agreed to purchase 102 A321neo aircraft, comprising 75 A321neos and 27 A321XLRs. Most of those were for delivery between 2025 and 2027. Wizz Air could also buy another 19 A321neos and gained purchase rights to 75 A321neos. Delivery times for the 75 Airbus A321neos are yet to be agreed upon, although it is expected to be between 2028-2029, which is subject to approval by Wizz Air shareholders.

Wizz Air CEO József Váradi said:

"The combination of Wizz Air's ultra-low-cost operation and the market-leading Airbus A321neo aircraft together create a strong platform for Wizz Air's future growth in the coming decade as we further strengthen our position as one of the world's most sustainable airlines."

According to ch-aviation.com, Wizz Air has a fleet of 153 aircraft with 305 on order, compared to Ryanair with 506 aircraft and a further 136 Boeing B737 MAX on order. Perhaps in reference to his rival, Ryanair, Váradi added:

"We remain on track to become a 500 aircraft airline group by the end of the decade while delivering our commitment to reduce our already industry-leading CO2 emissions by 25% by 2030."

The Wizz Air fleet has an average age of 8.3 years, with its oldest aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, which is 24.1 years old, pushing the average higher. Ryanair's fleet has an average age of 12.7 years, and surprisingly it too has one outlier, a B737-700 that is 23.7 years old and still in service. Its fleet is dominated by the B737-800, with the data showing it has more than 400 to call on.

Discover more aviation news here!

Váradi sees strong demand over the winter season

wizz air malta
Wizz Air Malta could have almost 80 aircraft in its fleet by next summer. Photo: Wizz Air

Wizz Air has placed all its eggs in the Airbus basket, the only other type being the one B737-800. While seven aircraft are listed as inactive, the total fleet comprises 50 A320-200s, six A320neos, 35 A321-200s, 53 A321neos and one A330-200F freighter aircraft. Its outstanding orders are all for Airbus A320/321neos, including the A321XLR variant. Speaking on Bloomberg TV, Váradi said Europe was still in a transition concerning coronavirus, although he is relatively confident about the outlook for the next twelve months.

"People's intention to travel is still there, having said that we are seeing the peak periods like Christmas to be very strong, but in the off peak periods I think we are going to be seeing some weaker demand but getting out of winter approaching spring/ summer next year we're going to be seeing much greater demand."

Many reports suggest that Váradi and Wizz Air are chasing growth ahead of margins, but whatever the strategy, he is moving forward with this fleet of new-generation Airbus A320/321neo fleet.

Source: Bloomberg