Airbus News - June, 18 2009

Wizz Air, the largest Central and Eastern European low cost – low fare airline, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to buy 50 more A320s. This will take their total orders up to 132 aircraft. All Wizz Air aircraft will be configured in a comfortable single-class layout, seating up to 180 passengers. No choice of engine has been made yet.

The new A320 order will allow Wizz Air to reinforce and expand its extensive network established at 11 operating bases, in Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Czech Republic. It will also allow the airline to add new destinations to its 130 existing routes. This new large A320 order will enable Wizz Air to reinforce its strong position in the region. The rapidly expanding Central and Eastern Europe's low-cost low fare airline already operates a young and eco-efficient Airbus fleet of 24 A320s.

"The new order is consistent with our growth plan and underpins our aspiration to become the airline of choice in Central and Eastern Europe. The aircraft economics of the Airbus A320 is instrumental for us to deliver the business at the lowest possible cost in order to make our low fares accessible to an ever increasing customer base. This new commitment also reflects on the robust nature of our business, even in a challenging market environment." said József Váradi, Chief Executive Officer of Wizz Air.

"In only five years, Wizz Air supported by lead investor Indigo Partners has developed into a formidable success story, and we are delighted they did it with our Airbus aircraft. The A320 is undoubtedly the world's favourite single-aisle aircraft, offering superb economics and high passenger appeal. It is also the most eco-efficient aircraft of it category" said Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders. "This milestone commitment is yet another demonstration of the market superiority of the A320."

The A320 Family is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. With more than 6,320 aircraft sold, and over 3,850 aircraft delivered to more than 300 customers and operators worldwide, the A320 Family is the world's best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. The Family comprises four aircraft (A318, A319, A320 and A321) that share the same cockpit and have the same cabin cross-section and systems.

Designed to optimise revenue through cabin adaptability and passenger comfort and featuring the most modern and complete fly-by-wire technology available on any single-aisle aircraft, the A320 Family ensures savings in every element of direct operating costs and provides operators with the highest degree of operational commonality and economy for aircraft in the 100-220 seat category.