WIZZ AIR ORDERS 10 ADDITIONAL A321CEO AIRCRAFT
Aircraft to be delivered in 2018 and 2019
Paris, 21 June 2017: Wizz Air Holdings Plc (the "Company" and, together with its subsidiaries, "Wizz Air"), the largest low-cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe, today announces an order for an additional 10 Airbus A321ceo aircraft, powered by IAE International Aero Engines AG's V2500 engines (the "Airbus Agreement"). The additional aircraft will join Wizz Air's fleet in 2018 and 2019 and will support Wizz Air's significant growth plans as its responds to strong and growing demand for air travel within Central and Eastern Europe.
Based on current list prices, the value of the new order, placed with Airbus S.A.S. and IAE International Aero Engines AG, is some US$1.16billion, although Airbus has granted significant discounts from list prices to Wizz Air. The Company will retain flexibility in determining the most favourable method of financing the aircraft under the Airbus Agreement.
Wizz Air has been operating the Airbus A321 since November 2015 and currently operates 19 of the 230-seat ultra-efficient aircraft type with another 22 A321 aircraft to join the airline's fleet by 2019. Wizz Air is achieving 10% unit cost savings with the A321 when compared to the A320, allowing the airline to continue to grow its extensive network within Europe and beyond at the lowest cost and so to continue to bring the lowest prices to its customers. As one of the fastest growing airlines in Europe with one of best profit margins, these additional aircraft, together with the 110 firm-order, new-technology A321neo aircraft already ordered for delivery from 2019 onwards, will see Wizz Air's fleet more than double by 2024 allowing the airline to maintain its position as the largest low cost carrier in Central and Eastern Europe and driving its unit operating costs to become best-in-class.
Given the size of the list price commitments under the Airbus Agreement relative to the Company, the purchase may constitute a "class 1 transaction" under the Listing Rules and therefore entry into the Airbus Agreement may be conditional upon Wizz Air shareholder approval. A further announcement in this regard will be made in due course.
Speaking at a press conference at the Paris Air Show, Wizz Air Chief Executive Officer, József Váradi commented: "We are delighted to add additional Airbus A321 aircraft to the Wizz Air fleet. Our already strong relationship with Airbus continues as we invest further in our growing fleet. Since its introduction at Wizz Air in November 2015, the Airbus A321ceo has delivered significant cost advantages and the re-designed interior has enhanced our great on-board service. Today's order, together with the existing order for 110 ultra-efficient A321neo, will see Wizz Air take delivery of 140 new aircraft between now and 2024, as well as the clear CEE low cost market leader, to respond to the significant growth opportunities in the CEE by offering its customers the lowest fares and the opportunity to travel on board one of the youngest, most efficient fleets in Europe."
"We are delighted that Wizz Air, an all Airbus airline has once again renewed its confidence in Airbus. The A321ceo, the biggest member of the A320 family, with its unbeatable operating costs, is the right aircraft at the right time for Wizz Air's development. It will allow the company to continue to grow, while offering its passengers the comfort they deserve, a comfort that only Airbus can offer" said Airbus Commercial Aircraft Chief Operating Officer - Customers, John Leahy.
Wizz Air Fleet
Wizz Air current fleet comprises 83 A320 family aircraft (64 A320 and 19 A321). The average aircraft age of 4.4 years is one of the youngest fleets of any major European airline. Wizz Air also has an order with Airbus for 110 new technology A321neo aircraft with advanced systems and engines for delivery from 2019.
About Airbus A321ceo
The A321ceo is the A320 Family's longest-fuselage member and offers the best seat-mile costs of any single-aisle aircraft, including passenger capacities comparable to that of a wide body jetliner. This stretched-fuselage aircraft has an overall length of 44.51 metres, providing ample room to comfortably accommodate 185 travellers - or up to 236 in a high-density layout.
ENDS
About Wizz Air
Wizz Air is the largest low-cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe, operates a fleet of 83 Airbus A320 and Airbus A321 aircraft, and offers more than 500 routes from 28 bases, connecting 141 destinations across 42 countries. At Wizz Air, a team of approximately 3,300 aviation professionals delivers superior service and very low ticket prices making Wizz Air the preferred choice of 23.8 million passengers in the financial year ended 31 March 2017. Wizz Air is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker WIZZ and is included in the FTSE 250 and FTSE All-Share Indices. Wizz Air is registered under the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), the global benchmark in airline safety recognition. The company was recently named 2016 Value Airline of the Year by the editors of Air Transport World, one of the leading airline trade magazines, as well as 2016 Low Cost Airline of the Year by the Center for Aviation (CAPA), a leading provider of independent aviation market intelligence.
About Airbus
Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2015, it generated revenues of €64.5 billion and employed a workforce of around 136,600. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as Europe's number one space enterprise and the world's second largest space business. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.
For more information: |
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Investors: |
Iain Wetherall, Wizz Air: |
+41 22 555 9873 |
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Balint Veres, Wizz Air: |
+36 1 777 9349 |
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Media: |
Tamara Vallois, Wizz Air: |
+36 1 777 9324 |
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Edward Bridges / Jonathan Neilan, FTI Consulting LLP: |
+44 20 3727 1017 |
