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Wizz Air reduces Airbus A321XLR order amid strategic shift

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Wizz Air reduces Airbus A321XLR order amid strategic shift
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József Váradi CEO at Wizz Air | Official Website

Wizz Air has announced a significant reduction in its order for the Airbus A321XLR aircraft. The airline initially planned to acquire 47 of these planes but now expects to take delivery of only 10 to 15. This decision comes as Wizz Air reevaluates its strategy following its upcoming exit from the Middle East, specifically Abu Dhabi.

CEO József Váradi clarified that the company is not canceling orders with Airbus but is instead converting some of the A321XLR orders. "We are not talking about canceling," Váradi stated during an earnings call, explaining that the move will help eliminate complexities associated with longer flights.

The decision is closely tied to Wizz Air's plan to shut down operations in Abu Dhabi by September 1 due to regional geopolitical instability and operational reliability issues. The extra range provided by the A321XLR was initially intended to support operations in this region, but it is no longer necessary following their withdrawal.

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Wizz Air received its first A321XLR two months ago at a ceremony in Hamburg and has since added two more XLRs, bringing their total fleet count for this model to three. Discussions with Airbus are ongoing regarding the specifics of future deliveries, according to Váradi.

The challenging climate conditions in Abu Dhabi have also influenced this decision. Hot and dusty environments can lead to increased maintenance requirements and schedule disruptions, which have proven costly for Wizz Air.

Since launching its Abu Dhabi operation in 2021, Wizz Air has struggled with profitability and market establishment. As part of their restructuring plan, four A321neos will be repositioned after re-registration, while eight A321-200s will be kept as spares for peak travel periods.

Despite having three A321XLRs currently in service, Wizz Air plans to deploy them strategically across hotter regions like North Africa while avoiding transatlantic routes for now. Váradi confirmed there are no current plans for transatlantic flights despite the aircraft's range capabilities.

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