Preparing for the future: Wizz Air to acquire 50 more A320s
Wizz Air’s commitment to acquire 50 additional A320s – which was announced today at the Paris Air Show – marks another major commercial win for Airbus, and further confirms its long-term outlook for a solid airline industry.
Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders said this contract – which is one of the most significant business deals announced at the air show – continues “a fruitful history with Wizz Air, and we are very proud today be able to announce that we will strengthen this partnership going forward.”
Wizz Air’s Chief Executive Officer József Váradi said the A320’s excellent operating efficiency is key to the airline’s success in a highly competitive European low-cost marketplace. The carrier currently operates 26 A320s from six Eastern European countries, and will be receiving the additional 50 aircraft in the 2014-2016 timeframe. As with its current inventory, the new aircraft will be configured with 180 seats.
“The A320 provides an aircraft with superb economics, which is highly valuable in our business of low-cost operations,” Váradi added.
Although the 50-aircraft commitment was signed as a memorandum of understanding during this morning’s press conference at Le Bourget Airport, Váradi said the acquisition will become a firm order – noting the final contract details were being completed by the Wizz Air and Airbus teams attending the Paris Air Show.
“This marks a landmark event, especially considering the economic climate we are in at the moment,” Váradi told journalists at the contract signing. “It also proves that we are confident in the robust nature of our business.”
Wizz Air operates its low-cost route network from bases in Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and the Czech Republic. Váradi said the carrier has a mix of passenger traffic that is almost equally balanced amongst leisure passengers, business travellers and migrant workers.
