Аircraft assembled in Tianjin is the first-ever for a European operator
Wizz Air will be the first European airline to receive an Airbus A321neo aircraft assembled in China.
The new aircraft is being assembled on Airbus’ final assembly line in Tianjin and will be delivered to Wizz Air four years after it received its first A321neo in 2019.
This will be Wizz Air’s 92nd Airbus A321neo and will increase the share of ‘neo’ technology within Wizz Air’s global fleet to more than 50 percenт*.
Wizz Air has the largest confirmed order book for the Airbus A321neo in Europe and, a part of its “WIZZ500 ambition”, plans to add a further 355 aircraft by the end of the decade.
The Airbus A321neo is the most efficient narrow-body aircraft flying today, with 239 seats in a single-class configuration. Equipped with a Pratt and Whitney GTF engine, the aircraft delivers the lowest fuel burn per passenger to help Wizz Air reduce fuel costs and deliver the lowest carbon intensity of any major European airlinе**. The aircraft also provides additional benefits such as 30% fuel burn, 50% CO2 saving, and an almost 50 percent reduction in noise footprint compared to the previous generation aircrafт***.
The delivery flight is powered by a 10% blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The new Airbus A321neo will be financed through a sale-and-leaseback with AVIC, one of Wizz Air’s financing partners.
József Váradi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Wizz Air, said:
"As the most efficient single-aisle aircraft flying today, the Airbus A321neo is our aircraft of choice. As well as delivering exceptional operating economics, it provides the foundation from which to maintain our position as one of the world’s most sustainable airlines. This will help ensure we continue to decrease our carbon intensity per passenger, even as we grow.
“Today marks an important milestone, with the Airbus A321neo accounting for more than 50% of our fleet for the first time. It is fitting that we mark the occasion by becoming the first European customer to take delivery of an aircraft from Airbus’ final assembly line in Tianjin. I would like to personally thank the team at Airbus and AVIC for making this possible. We look forward to our continued cooperation as Wizz Air accelerates toward becoming a 500 aircraft Group by the end of the decade. "
AVIC Leasing commented:
“AVIC Leasing is glad to celebrate the delivery of a Pratt and Whitney GTF-powered A321neo with Wizz Air from the Airbus’ final assembly line in Tianjin for the very first time and is pleased to leverage its existing relationship with Wizz Air for their growing network.”
* New aircraft increases Wizz Air’s total fleet to 183 aircraft with 87 being A321neo
** Based on the latest publicly disclosed emission information applicable to a 12-month period (Ryanair, EasyJet). Due to differences in reporting period, the figures and timeframe are not fully aligned
*** Based on the comparison between Airbus A320neo and Airbus A320ceo aircraft families
