The ultra-low-cost Hungarian airline Wizz Air has unveiled details about the carrier’s first Airbus A321XLR route at a special event in Italy.
József Váradi, CEO of Wizz Air, was present in Italy on September 4, 2024, where it was announced that the first operating Airbus A321XLR will fly between Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) and Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH).
Wizz Air confirmed that the new aircraft will be based at Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) and commence operations from June 2, 2025, on what will become a daily, direct service.
Wizz Air is anticipating the delivery of eight Airbus A321XLR aircraft in 2025, from a total of 47 on order.
This one's BIG…
— Wizz Air (@wizzair) September 4, 2024
We're going to be the first Ultra Low-Cost Carrier airline to operate Airbus A321XLR, providing an Xtra Long Range!
So what does this mean? Check out the details 👇
And WIZZ here to book your next exploration: https://t.co/PCcNNZ2fVa pic.twitter.com/2FIv5aCAkE
CEO József Váradi, has previously said that he expects the first of the Xtra Long Range single-aisle aircraft to arrive in February 2025 and that the Wizz Air plans to connect “six to seven” European cities with India.
Flights between Milan and Abu Dhabi are scheduled to take just over seven hours with Wizz Air predicting passenger fares will be 70% lower than the current competitors’ offer.
“The Airbus A321XLR is the most cost-efficient aircraft of its class and, given the enhanced range capability, it enables Wizz Air to connect the furthest destinations in its network and further expand it, connecting cultures and continents. We’re excited to unlock unbeatable fares for our customers on the newly announced route to Abu Dhabi, while offering the most sustainable option for flying,” József Váradi said.
He added: “We are already flying several 5-6 hour long ultra-low-cost routes with great satisfaction to our customers, and the XLR will extend our outstanding value proposition to 7-8-hour long flights.”
In July 2024, Airbus’ A321XLR, was awarded Type Certification for the aircraft by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The first commercial flights of the Airbus A321XLR will take off in the summer with Iberia chosen as the launch carrier with Aer Lingus set to receive its first two A321XLR models in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Aer Lingus had been ear-marked as the aircraft launch carrier but an industrial dispute between the airline and its pilots forced the switch to Iberia.
Airbus has extremely high hopes for its new aircraft which it describes as “single-aisle economics on widebody routes”.
The aircraft has a range of 4,700 nautical miles and a higher Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) than the A321neo, allowing it to carry even more luggage and more fuel.