European Low-Cost Carrier Reconfigures Fleet Amid Cost Pressures and Engine Challenges

Wizz Air has agreed to reconfigure its commitment for new aircraft, deferring 88 deliveries of the A320neo and reducing its commitment to the A321XLR from 47 to 11 aircraft. The airline cited cost pressures, including engine issues, as the reason for the changes. CEO Josef Váradi stated that ultra-long-haul operations on narrowbodies are a niche too far for the airline’s cost base. The decision aims to cap annual seat capacity growth at 10% to 12% through the rest of the 2020s. The move is part of a broader strategy shift towards a more sustainable and profitable capacity growth trajectory. The airline has also announced the closure of its Abu Dhabi and Vienna subsidiaries, which relied heavily on the A321XLR’s range capabilities. This decision was first reported by AeroTime.