Wizz Air orders 20 additional A320s

Wizz Air of Hungary has signed a firm contract with Airbus for 20 additional A320s. This rapidly expanding Central and Eastern European low-fare, low-cost airline is herewith increasing its all-Airbus fleet, following its initial order of 12 A320 aircraft a year ago.

All the aircraft will be powered by International Aero Engines V2500 and be configured in a comfortable single-class layout, seating up to 180 passengers.

"We are committed to IAE powered Airbus aircraft, that has been a significant pillar of our success to date. Our all common A320 fleet allows us to achieve the lowest unit cost in the region while maintaining operational reliability and customer service excellence. This new aircraft order keeps Wizz Air on track to be the single largest airline in Central and Eastern Europe, both in terms of fleet size and carried passengers. By 2012, Wizz Air will operate up to 53 A320 aircraft," said József Váradi, Chief Executive Officer of Wizz Air.

The new order facilitates the airline's robust growth plan in Central and Eastern Europe to meet the ever increasing demand for air travel in the region in the next years. Wizz Air is Central & Eastern Europe's largest low-fare, low-cost airline. Wizz Air flies a young fleet of 180-seat Airbus A320 aircraft. The airline operates flights from Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Croatia, Slovenia and Romania to 40 destinations on 70 routes this summer. Wizz Air has carried 4 million passengers since its start of operations in 2004.

Christian Streiff, Airbus President and CEO, added: "We are very pleased to see that Wizz Air is putting its trust once again in Airbus for the expansion of its fleet. We are confident that the economics and excellent passenger appeal of our airliners will help Wizz Air to even further strengthen its position in Central and Eastern Europe."

The A320 Family, recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family, includes the A318, the A319, the A320 and the A321 versions and features the newest and most modern design of any single-aisle airliner, with a passenger-pleasing cabin. By the end of June 2006, more than 4,300 Airbus A320 family aircraft had been ordered worldwide, making it the most successful and the best-selling aircraft. Almost 2,800 A320 Family aircraft have been delivered to around 180 operators worldwide so far.

Airbus is an EADS joint company with BAE Systems.

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