Wizz Air Delays 88 Airbus A320neo Orders, Switches to A321XLR Models

Wizz Air, the European low-cost airline, announced on November 7, 2025, a reconfiguration of its aircraft order with Airbus. This agreement entails deferring the delivery of 88 new aircraft, significantly altering the airline’s future commitments to the A321XLR model.

While Wizz Air’s total order of 273 Airbus aircraft remains unchanged, this adjustment indicates a strategic shift as the airline strives to compete with low-cost rivals like Ryanair and easyJet.

As per Wizz Air’s statement, the reassignment includes a delay of 88 A320neo family deliveries originally expected by the end of fiscal year 2030. Now, these aircraft are scheduled for delivery by fiscal year 2033. The airline views this decision as a chance to align its delivery timeline with a more sustainable growth plan aimed at profitability.

By postponing the deliveries to fiscal year 2033, Wizz Air intends to limit its annual seat capacity growth to between 10% and 12% throughout the remainder of the decade. Analysts suggest that this slower growth rate is more sustainable compared to the previous years’ surges of 15% to 20%, which many saw as a risk.

Shifting Strategy

This update in the delivery timeline coincides with a significant reassessment within the airline. Wizz Air has been dealing with maintenance challenges related to the Pratt & Whitney GTF engines powering its new A320 models. This crisis, which began in 2023, has led to substantial financial losses, though the airline expects to see resolution by the end of 2026.

Alongside deferring 88 orders, Wizz Air is also scaling back its commitment to the A321XLR, reducing the order from 47 aircraft to a mere 11. This total includes five aircraft already delivered, with the first arrival in May 2025. The remaining 36 A321XLR orders are being converted to an order for 36 standard A321neos, which the airline currently operates.

The challenges posed by high fuel prices, crew salaries, and lukewarm demand for premium-light long-haul services have prompted Wizz Air’s reevaluation. CEO Josef Váradi noted, “We learned that ultra-long-haul on narrowbodies is a niche too far for our cost base,” during the airline’s recent Q2 earnings call.

This reduction in the A321XLR commitment aligns with the recent closure of Wizz Air’s Abu Dhabi subsidiary, which was expected to operate this aircraft on longer routes. Additionally, the airline has announced the closure of its Vienna base, although this decision has been somewhat mitigated by expanding bases in Eastern Europe, particularly in Bratislava and Yerevan.

The operations in these closed bases heavily relied on the A321XLR’s capabilities to link smaller European cities with leisure and VFR markets in the Gulf and beyond. However, the anticipated demand for these routes did not materialize as expected, prompting a shift in strategy regarding the A321XLR.

Scaling Back Annual Growth Rates

These strategic adjustments illustrates a conscious shift away from past aggressive expansion strategies towards a more stable and profitable model. In July 2025, Wizz Air reported a sharp 38% decline in operating profit for the first quarter of the 2026 financial year, attributing this to rising costs and engine-related groundings.

In its unaudited financial results, the airline stated that its operating profit decreased to €27.5 million in Q1 FY26 from €44.6 million in the same period the previous year. This decline has been linked to heightened airport, handling, and en-route charges, as well as depreciation and engine-related challenges.

Deferring these deliveries alleviates immediate financial pressures while also keeping options open for a future increase in capacity post-GTF groundings. Wizz Air has reaffirmed its objective of operating an all-NEO fleet—composed exclusively of New Engine Option aircraft—by the end of 2029, ahead of the original timeline. This would allow the airline to fully transition to a 100% NEO fleet two years sooner than planned.