Wizz Air announced that its first Airbus A321XLR (Extra Long Range) aircraft will join Wizz Air UK’s fleet at its base in London Gatwick. Wizz Air’s first A321XLR will arrive in March 2025, marking a new era of intercontinental travel with the launch of a direct route from London Gatwick to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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The new route, lasting nearly 7 hours, will be the first of many to leverage the extended range and efficiency of the A321XLR. Additionally, another new A321XLR will be based in Italy, operating a daily flight between Milan Malpensa and Abu Dhabi, starting from 2 June 2025. Underpinning Wizz Air’s commitment to more sustainable operations, the Airbus A321XLR’s carbon intensity is estimated to be at least 30% less than that of other carriers on the same routes.
The decision to base the Airbus A321XLR in London Gatwick reflects Wizz Air’s commitment to strengthen its UK presence. Since the opening of the airline’s second UK base at London Gatwick in October 2020, Wizz Air has continued to expand its presence at the airport. The airline has five Airbus A321neo aircraft based at the airport and operates flights to 26 destinations in 17 countries and employs 259 staff.
József Váradi, Wizz Air’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “The Airbus A321XLR is the most cost-efficient aircraft in its class. Its enhanced range capability allows Wizz Air to connect the farthest destinations in its network, while also providing opportunities for further expansion, connecting more cultures, economies and continents. We are excited to offer unbeatable fares to our customers on the new route from London Gatwick to Jeddah. Since establishing our base at London Gatwick in 2020, we have demonstrated ambitious growth, making it a natural, strategic decision to operate our first Airbus A321XLR from this airport.”