Wizz Air sold 3 new planes: Lurking problems or rethinking their strategy?
Wizz Air has embarked on a significant strategic overhaul aimed at reducing business risks and securing long-term, sustainable profitability.
Wizz Air sold 3 brand new aircraft
As part of these efforts, the Budapest-based low-cost carrier has sold three brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft and scaled back its future fleet expansion plans, according to the company’s latest financial report.
The airline, which closed the April–September peak travel season with strong results, transported 36.5 million passengers in the first half of its financial year—an increase of 9.8 percent compared to the same period last year. Total revenue grew by 9 percent, while operating profit surged by 25.8 percent to EUR 439.2 million.
AIRportál notes that operational reliability also improved notably over the summer. Wizz Air reported fewer disruptions, achieving a completion rate of 99.65 percent, while 61 percent of its flights departed on time in the most recent quarter.
The airline said it managed to significantly reduce the costs associated with aircraft it leases—together with their crews—from other carriers.
Refocusing on Central and Eastern Europe
As part of a targeted strategic shift, Wizz Air has decided to concentrate its resources on the most profitable markets in Central and Eastern Europe. This restructuring included the closure of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi—a joint venture subsidiary—and the shutdown of the airline’s Vienna base in September. Aircraft capacity has since been redeployed to airports such as Bratislava, Chișinău, Podgorica and Tuzla.
The company also announced that it would slow the pace of its capacity expansion. Until the end of the decade, Wizz Air expects annual growth of 10–12 percent, a more modest forecast than previously planned.
Aircraft order reshaped, deliveries postponed
In line with this cautious approach, Wizz Air renegotiated the delivery schedule of its Airbus orders. A planned batch of 88 new aircraft has been deferred to the next decade, while a previous order for 47 long-range Airbus A321XLR jets has been reduced dramatically to just 11 units.
In November, the airline made a one-off decision to sell three factory-new A321neo aircraft to a leasing company, which is expected to place them with other carriers. Industry databases suggest the jets will likely join South America’s JetSmart.
Despite these temporary measures, Wizz Air still plans to operate 334 aircraft by the end of the 2030 financial year, with its fleet transitioning almost entirely to new-generation models by 2029. Only two older A320ceo aircraft are expected to remain in service until early 2032.
Engine Issues Continue but Outlook Improves
Around 40 of Wizz Air’s aircraft are currently grounded due to ongoing issues with Pratt & Whitney engines manufactured using contaminated powdered metal.
The airline anticipates improvements by the end of the current financial year (31 March 2026), when it expects the number of grounded aircraft to fall to between 30 and 35. By 2027, this figure should decline further to 25–30, with the goal of returning all affected jets to service by March 2028.
Despite these challenges, Wizz Air maintains that its strategic shift—focused on cost control, disciplined growth and regional consolidation—will position the airline for stable, long-term profitability.