Wizz Air CCO: Rapid fleet expansion presents operational challenges

Wizz Air sees operations as its biggest challenge in 2018 as the carrier continues rapid growth. “We have a lot of commercial opportunities, but the biggest challenge for us is on the operational side because in 17 weeks we are taking delivery of 17 new aircraft,” CCO George Michalopoulos said. Wizz Air has increased its fleet size to 89, which includes a mix of Airbus A320s and A321s. Feb 1 the average aircraft age was 4.6 years. In Nov 2017, Wizz Air signed its largest-ever Airbus order for an additional 146 A320neo family aircraft, which has received shareholder approval. The LCC has a total of 256 of the type on order. Michalopoulos said the A321neo is the “ultimate, ultra-efficient aircraft” for an LCC. “We expect the first A321neo in Jan 2019.” <br/>