Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air plans to exercise the option to acquire 75 Airbus A321neo aircraft that the European manufacturer had awarded it last year as part of a larger order.
On 14 November 2021, Wizz Air had announced the signing of an agreement with Airbus to purchase a total of 102 aircraft, which also included 27 A321XLR. The aircraft would be delivered between 2025 and 2027.
Under the contract, the operator would also have the right to acquire an additional 19 A321neo aircraft under certain circumstances. While the delivery schedule for the 75 Airbus A321neo aircraft has not yet been agreed, the aircraft are expected to join the fleet between 2028 and 2029. However, the dates will be subject to the approval of Wizz Air’s shareholders.
«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», said József Váradi, co-founder and current CEO of Wizz Air. «We remain on track to become a 500 aircraft airline group by the end of the decade», he added.
Competition with Ryanair
Wizz Air currently has a fleet comprised almost entirely of Airbus-built aircraft. The company operates A320-200, A320neo, A321-200 and A321neo aircraft, as well as an A330-200F for air cargo transport. It also has a 737-800, the only remaining Boeing aircraft in its fleet.
According to ch-aviation, the Hungarian airline has 153 aircraft in operation and mantains orders for another 305. According to the same source, Ryanair, one of its main competitors, has 506 aircraft and mantains orders for 136 Boeing 737 MAX.
Wizz Air is a powerful airline in Central and Eastern Europe, from where it offers an extensive network of connections to the west of the continent. It caters especially to the demand of passengers travelling to visit friends and family (VFR).
However, the company began to increase its presence at Western European airports as air traffic gradually recovered following the gradual lifting of health restrictions imposed by the pandemic.
Predictably, the move increased the pressure on Ryanair. With the addition of new state-of-the-art aircraft and the expansion plans announced by the management of both airlines, competition will continue.
