Wizz Air signs memorandum of understanding to buy 110 Airbus A321neos

It has been announced at the Paris Air Show that Hungary’s low-cost airline, Wizz Air, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Airbus for the largest single order of this type – 110 A321neos. The company has also signed for an option on a further 90 A321neos as well. Currently Wizz Air has a fleet of 61 aircraft operating across one of Central and Eastern Europe’s most extensive networks with 380 routes serviced from 22 bases. Last November Wizz Air CEO Jozsef Varadi made it clear Wizz Air was intending to virtually double in size by 2019, when it hopes to hit the 30 million passengers-a-year mark and operate a fleet of 100 aircraft. The A321neo aircraft will be fitted in the latest Airbus Cabin Flex configuration with 239 seats according to Airbus, though as of yet no engine selection has been made Varadi said he anticipated selection between the CFM LEAP and Pratt & Whitney PW1100 geared turbofan will be made within the next couple of years.
The newest member of the best-selling A320 Family, the A320neo, incorporates new generation engines and Sharklets which together will deliver 20% in fuel savings by 2020. According to Airbus, during the 2015 Paris Air Show they won US$57bn worth of business for a total of 421 aircraft. The deals comprise firm orders for 124 aircraft worth US$16.3bn and commitments for 297 aircraft worth US$40.7bn.