Wizz Air Delays Airbus Jets Deliveries Until 2033 and Reduces A321XLR Order

Wizz Air announced a significant modification to its delivery schedule with Airbus this Friday, delaying the receipt of 88 aircraft until the fiscal year 2033, instead of 2030 as initially planned. This decision is part of a strategy to reduce costs and restore profit margins after a year marked by operational difficulties.

Order Conversion: Fewer Long-Range Aircraft

The low-cost airline also reported that it has agreed with Airbus to convert 36 of its orders for the long-range A321XLR model to the A321neo variant. With this adjustment, Wizz Air’s total commitment for the A321XLR is reduced from 47 to just 11 units.

According to the official statement, this modification aims to “align the delivery schedule with a more sustainable and profitable capacity growth trajectory.”

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More Efficient and Simplified Fleet

Despite the changes, Wizz Air’s total order portfolio remains unaltered at 273 aircraft. The company projects that by 2029 its fleet will be composed exclusively of ‘neo’ generation aircraft, recognized for their fuel efficiency.

Impact of Faulty Engines

Financial pressure on the airline has intensified due to technical issues: as of June 30, Wizz Air had 41 aircraft grounded because of failures in the GTF engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a company owned by RTX.

Market Exits and Financial Results

In parallel, Wizz Air has ceased operations in underperforming markets such as Abu Dhabi and Vienna, in an effort to optimize its network and focus on more profitable routes.

The company is scheduled to present its first-half results on November 13. Meanwhile, its shares remained stable in early Friday trading.

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