On 17 June, Wizz Air announced that their fleet of Airbus A321neo aircraft will be powered by Pratt & Whitney’s PW1100G-JM geared turbofan (GTF) engine. This choice was uncovered at the Paris Air Show, and demonstrates Wizz Air’s continued plans to expand their operations.
Wizz Air and Pratt & Whitney’s Partnership
Wizz Air’s one-hundred-and-seventy-seven Airbus A321neo aircraft will be officially generated by Pratt & Whitney engines, following prior shareholder approval of the aircraft purchase. Wizz Air is the largest A320neo family operator in Europe, with all their flights being on Airbus A320, A321, A321neo and A320neo aircraft. The Airbus A321neo aircraft is the largest carrier that the airline uses, with a capacity of two-hundred-and-thirty-nine seats.
This announcement has strengthened Wizz Air and Pratt & Whitney’s partnership, with the aerospace manufacturer powering Wizz Air’s engines in both 2016 and 2020. Pratt & Whitney previously powered two-hundred-and-seventy-six A320neo, A321neo and A321XLR aircraft for the carrier. Of the existing fleet, Pratt & Whitney currently generates one-hundred-and-sixty-three A320neo family aircraft with GTF engines, and seventy-three A320ceo family aircraft with IAE VS2500® engines.
This brings Wizz Air’s total to four-hundred-and-fifty-three aircraft that will be powered by GTF engines, indicating the airline’s commitment to sustainability. Pratt & Whitney is also providing engine maintenance through a long-term service agreement.
József Váradi, Chief Executive Officer of Wizz Air said:
“Our relationship with Pratt & Whitney has been instrumental in supporting our growth strategy, which will enable Wizz Air to have a fleet of 500 aircraft within a decade. GTF engine technology delivers the most economical solution, providing unmatched fuel efficiency while enabling quieter and less emitting flights for our passengers, and a lower cost base for the airline. This agreement is in line with our Customer First Compass strategy which puts the customer in the focus also by providing the best-in-class aircraft technology with the lowest emission intensity per passenger kilometre.”
Sharing a similar sentiment regarding their partnership, Rick Deurloo – Commercial Engines President of Pratt & Whitney, commented:
“Today marks another important milestone in our long-standing relationship with Wizz Air and is a vote of confidence in the GTF engine. Pratt & Whitney has been exclusively powering the airline’s growth since 2003, and our GTF engines will continue to deliver the lowest fuel consumption available.”
Wizz Air’s Future Developments
Wizz Air’s Customer First Compass outlines the airline’s aims and future direction. Encompassing the four pillars of Product, Price, Service and Communication, Wizz Air seeks to offer customers easy transportation and increased connectivity to global destinations, all at a low cost. The carrier is also focusing their growth on prioritising the customer experience – this includes providing clear communication via digital notifications and providing fast solutions when operations are disrupted and changed.
Wizz Air will be investing fourteen-billion euros to their services over the next three years, aspiring to enhance every passenger touchpoint. This includes investing in modern technology, providing enhanced customer support, and improving reliability that covers punctuality, affordability, innovation and service.
What do you think about the partnership between Wizz Air and Pratt & Whitney? How will this impact sustainability in flight operations? Let us know.
