Wizz Air Holdings PLC Wizz Air Orders 10 Additional A321ceo Aircraft (7198I)
June 21 2017 - 5:34AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMWIZZ
RNS Number : 7198I
Wizz Air Holdings PLC
21 June 2017
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 EUR64.5 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:
+41 22 555
Investors: Iain Wetherall, Wizz Air: 9873
+36 1 777
Balint Veres, Wizz Air: 9349
+36 1 777
Media: Tamara Vallois, Wizz Air: 9324
Edward Bridges / Jonathan Neilan, +44 20 3727
FTI Consulting LLP: 1017
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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