Wizz Air is considering postponing part of its roughly 300-aircraft order from Airbus. Due to engine problems and slowing growth, the airline may defer the delivery of 100 aircraft to the next decade.
Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air is in talks with Airbus to delay deliveries as it seeks to revise its fleet growth plans. The company currently has around 300 narrow-body jet orders pending with the European manufacturer. However, recent operational slowdowns and technical issues have prompted a need to revise these plans.
According to Bloomberg, which cited sources familiar with the matter, Wizz Air has proposed deferring the delivery of about 100 Airbus aircraft to the next decade. This move is expected to reduce the airline’s annual capacity growth target from 14% to 10%. Wizz Air Chief Financial Officer Ian Malin stated that any deal could take several weeks to finalise.
Earlier this year, the company decided to convert part of its A321XLR orders. One of the biggest challenges in Wizz Air’s fleet has been the malfunctioning Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines powering its new-generation aircraft. Due to these issues, roughly one-fourth of the airline’s A321neo fleet has been temporarily grounded.
Engine Problems and Fleet Impact
According to Simple Flying, inspections and repairs caused by a manufacturing defect are expected to continue until the end of 2027. This situation is significantly limiting Wizz Air’s operational capacity.
Data from ch-aviation shows that Wizz Air’s fleet currently consists of 141 Airbus aircraft with an average age of 8.1 years:
- 17 × A320-200
- 33 × A321-200
- 91 × A321neo
In addition, the company holds 276 Airbus orders, including 234 A321neos and 42 A321XLRs. However, with the closure of its Abu Dhabi-based subsidiary, the A321XLR order is expected to be reduced to around 10–15 units.
Although Wizz Air continues to expand with an all-Airbus fleet, the ongoing delays and engine issues are forcing the airline to rethink its expansion strategy. Official statements from Airbus and Wizz Air are still awaited.
